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Casulaty Details

 
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Name: Leo Matthew AISTON
Casualty No.: Ranks: Able Seaman Initials: L M Service No.: C/JX223893
Date of Birth : - Place of Birth : Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham. Age at Death: 21
Unit: HMS Speke, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy.
Former Unit(s):
Place Enlisted:
Place of Residence: Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Home Address: Ryton Villa, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Previous Address:
Civilian Employment: Sales Assistant at Binns Department Store, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.
How Died: Killed as a result of a flying accident.
Date of Death: Tuesday 2nd February 1943
Place of Death: Bolton, Lancashire.
Battle/Campaign:
Locally Commemorated: Ryton War Memorial, Station Bank, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
UK Commemorated: -
Overseas Commemorated: -
Buried: Ryton Cemetery, Hexham Old Road, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Decoration and Medals: 1939-45 Star. War Medal.
Photographs: 2
Service Records: No
Death Notice/Obituary:
Family Details:
Son of Joseph and Pauline Aiston, of Ryton Villa, Ryton on Tyne, Co. Durham.
Notes : The Aiston family were a well known farming family in the district of Ryton. Leo attended the local Roman Catholic schools and churches of the district. He was formerly attached to the Ryton Boy Scouts movement. He joined the Royal Navy in October 1940. A Blackburn Skua aircraft was travelling from RAF Woodvale to Speke, piloted by Sub.Lieutenant. A.J. Newton on 2nd February 1943 when it developed engine failure and attempted a forced landing on high ground above Bolton, Lancashire. With its undercarriage retracted the aircraft skidded across a field and fell over the edge of a disused quarry, exploding on impact and sinking into the water. It was some days later that the bodies of the two crew members were recovered from some 60 feet of water. The body of the air gunner was believed to be that of Leo Matthew Aiston. Leo's cousin, Aidan Aiston, was killed in action in July 1944 whilst serving with the RAF.
Sources Used: Commonwealth War Graves Commission Debt of Honour Register. Information from family members. Tyne and Wear Archives, Register of War Burials.
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