1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers.

Awarded the M.M. in the London Gazette of 24 January 1919.

Astin was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

The Burnley News of 21 September 1918 reported: - BURNLEY SOLDIERS GALLANTRY. Former Rosegrove Wesleyan Worker Recommended for Decoration. For gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field. Private J. Astin, Lancashire Fusiliers, son of James W. Astin, undertaker, of 526, Accrington Road, Burnley, has been recommended for a military distinction.

In the meantime he has been the recipient of a testimonial, signed by the General Commanding his division, which reads "The 29th Division, Gallipoli 1915-16, Somme 1916-17, Arras 1917, Ypres 1917, Cambrai 1917. 203634 Private J. Astin, Lancashire Fusiliers. - I have read with much pleasure the reports of your Regimental Commander and Brigade Commander regarding your gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on the 12th and 13th August, 1918, near Merris, and have ordered your name and deed to be entered in the record of the 29th Division. - signed D. E. Cayley, Major General, Commanding 29th Division."


Private Astin, who is well known in the Accrington Road district, enlisted in 1915, and was trained at Colchester. Formerly he was a winding master at Peel Mill, Rosegrove. He was associated with Rosegrove Wesleyan Sunday School and Chapel, and a devoted worker for the cause, and the news of his success will be read with much pleasure by his many friends in the district. The Burnley Express of 25 January 1919 reported the award of the Military Medal with a simular report.

Photo's from Towneley Hall and Burnley Central Library.