Cyril Richard Garstone
Cyril Garstone during WW1
Cyril Richard Garstone was born in Katanning in 1894, the second of of five children, to Tom and Ellen Garstone (nee Wilcox). Cyril married Ida Mary Day and they had three children; Eric Jack Garstone, Beulah Louise Ellen Griffiths (nee Garstone) and Tom Garstone.
Cyril Garstone enlisted during World War One on 9 November, 1915 returning to Australia on 8 January, 1919 after serving in the 43rd Battalion. He passed away in Katanning on 4 June, 1972 and his wife Ida died on 21 February, 1964.
He was the brother of Clarence Davies Garstone; May Evelyn Ladyman; Doris Irene Conning and Thomas Gilbert Garstone.
From “Farming Personalities of Western Australia”
Cyril Richard Garstone J.P.
Cyril Richard Garstone J.P.
Mr Cyril Richard Garstone, J.P., resides at “Martling,” Katanning, a property with an acreage of 2,340 of which 300 are under wheat, 370 under oats and 800 under clover. Most of the property is cleared and carries 1,700 sheep. It is watered by 12 dams and five soaks. The farm is powered by a Massey Harris 203 tractor, 14-disc plow, 10-ft harvester and 20-run combine etc.
Mr Garstone was a member of the Katanning Road Board for 23 years, the last eight as vice-chairman. He was on the committee of the Katanning Agricultural Society for 26 years, the last three as president. He was for thirteen years president of Group Three Agricultural Society.
He is a vice-president of the Katanning Silver Chain Bush Nursing Association. Mr Garstone is a past-president of the Wheat Growers’ Union and a past Worshipful Master of the Katanning Masonic Lodge, No. 30.
He is a director of the Katanning Stock & Trading Company and is a member of both the local golf and bowling clubs.
Mr Garstone enlisted in World War One and served abroad for nearly three years. He is married with two sons, one daughter and four grandsons.
Cyril Garstone’s WW1 Diary
Cyril Garstone’s WW1 Pay Book
War diary a link to the past
Sophie Clapin
Great Southern Herald
Monday,
27 April 2015
Tom Garstone reads over his father Cyril’s WWI diary.
Credit: Great Southern Herald
Accounts from the World War I diary of Cyril Richard Garstone are something his son Tom Garstone holds dear to his heart.
Serving in the 43rd Battalion, the local farmer regularly recorded his time away at war and his service as a stretcher bearer in the trenches. Tom said his brother also served in World War II and there were many other servicemen who hailed from the Katanning region, which showed of the area’s commitment.
“I remember I was 12 years-old. We had an Anzac service in the town hall and there was a great big silver band, then all the families used to march behind them,” he said. “It was incredible to see. The tail of the group would reach all the way up to the roundabout – there were dozens of people.”
While serving, Cyril was badly affected by poison gas and pulled out of the front line. Tom said what the soldiers went though was traumatic, but the support for the Anzac commemorations was very important.
“They never spoke about the war,” he said. “I would always go with dad when he caught up with mates, and even then they didn’t speak about it but it would have helped forming those great friendships.”
The family has a strong history in Katanning. Tom said the farm dated back to about 1894 and Cyril was a one of the original members of the agricultural society.
“I have never left Katanning. I have lived here all my life and I want to keep our history here,” he said. “It is always so important to maintain that heritage.”
Cyril Richard Garstone. Cyril Richard Garstone. Cyril Richard Garstone.