Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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616246   Sergeant Richard Elleker Garstin
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 26/01/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 206 Squadron, Royal Air Force (British Air Force)
Date Of Birth: 18/12/1917
Died: 14/10/1940 (Killed in Action)
Age: 22
Summary      
Richard Elleker Garstin was the son of William Fitzroy Hamilton Garstin and Frances Dalzell Maitland. Rev W F H Garstin as the curate of All Saints' Church in Waterside in Londonderry. Richard was born 18th December 1917 in the Waterside area of Londonderry. Rev Garstin became rector of Maghera. Richard Garstin attended the Rainey School in Magherafelt. Sergeant Richard Elleker Garstin was part of a four man crew flying a Hudson (Serial No N7362), part of 206 Squadron. The aircraft failed to return from an operational flight on 14 October 1940. All four crew were killed.
Further Information
Richard Elleker Garstin was the son of William Fitzroy Hamilton Garstin and Frances Dalzell Maitland. They were married on 31st January 1910.
Rev William F H Garstin was a chaplain at Calcutta Cathedral.
The 1910 Ulster Towns directory lists Rev W F H Garstin as the curate of All Saints' Church in Waterside in Londonderry.
Rev William F H Garstin was a military chaplain in World War One.
Richard Elleker Garstin was born 18th December 1917 in the Waterside area of Londonderry.
Known family: Rev William Fitzroy Hamilton Garstin, Frances Dalzell Garstin (nee Maitland), Edward William Maitland Garstin (born about 1910), George Kenmore Garstin (born 12th September 1914). John Hamilton Garstin (born 7th February 1915, Waterside Urban), Richard Elleker Garstin (born 18th December 1917, Waterside Urban).
Richard Garstin attended the Rainey School in Magherafelt along with his brother John. They were 1st Form Entries in 1930. Their address was given as the Rectory in Maghera.
Sergeant Richard Elleker Garstin was part of a four man crew flying a Hudson (Serial No N7362), part of 206 Squadron. The aircraft failed to return from an operational flight on 14 October 1940. All four crew were killed.
Hudson airplane
Sergeant Richard Elleker Garstin was serving with the 206 Squadron of the Royal Air Force when he was killed in action on 14th October 1940.
The other three crew were Flying Officer J R H Lascelles, Pilot Officer J G I Acheson and Sergeant J T Farlowe.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 10th October 1942: (George Garstin - brother of Richard Garstin)
The M.B.E. has been awarded to Radio Officer George Garstin, of Maghera, for gallantry when his ship was twice torpedoed. He continued to send messages to the last, and in the boats showed great cheerfulness, tending the wounded with indomitable spirit. The gallant young officer is the son of Rev W F H Garstin, M.A., of Maghera, and grandson of Rev W H Garstin, former rector of Belfast.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 14th November 1942: (George Garstin - brother of Richard Garstin)
Radio Officer George Garstin, of Maghera, had conferred by him by the King the Order of O.B.E. for gallant conduct when his ship was torpedoed. Mr Garstin is a son of Rev W F H Garstin, Rector of Maghera, and grandson of Rev W H Garstin, a former rector of St Luke’s, Belfast.
Sergeant Richard Elleker Garstin has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 14 of the Runnymede Memorial.
The CWGC record Sergeant Richard Elleker Garstin as the son of the Rev William Fitzroy Hamilton Garstin, M.A., and Frances Dalzell Garstin, of Maghera Rectory, County Londonderry.
Read more
Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Maghera Rectory Maghera CWGC lists parents at Maghera Rectory 54.841236 -6.670363
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 Rev W F H Garstin, Curate of All Saints' Church, Waterside
2 National Archives UK Official details of crash
3 Pilot Officer Edward Garstin Brother of Sergeant Richard Garstin
4 RAF Commands - N7362 Details of crash
5 Rainey School Register 1930 Lists brothers John and Richard at Rainey School
6 Runnymede - panel 14 Top Photo of Sergeant Richard E Garstin's inscription
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023