Trafford

Born on the 5th April 1896 at Colwyn Bay in the sub-district of Creaddyn. 
His birth registered during the June quarter 1896 in the Conway R.D. - ref:
11b/485, the son of Rev. John Henry & Sophia Ridgway Astley (nee Bale).

1901 Census - Trinity House, Llandrillo Yn Rhos, Colwyn Bay. Son - aged: 4
- born: Colwyn Bay.  Head of household - John Henry Astley - Married -
aged: 41 - occ: Clerk in Holy Orders - born: Coventry, Warwickshire.  Also
- Sophia Ridgeway Astley - Wife - aged: 41 - born: Newcastle upon Lyne,
Staffordshire. Plus 4 elder siblings, 10 boy pupils and 5 domestic
servants.  

Educated at the Elleray Park School, Wallasey and Birkenhead School. 

1911 Census - Stoney Hey Road, New Brighton, Cheshire. Son - aged: 14 -
Scholar - born: Colwyn Bay. Head of household - John Henry Astley - Married
- aged: 51 - occ: Clerk in Holy Orders - born: Coventry, Warwickshire. 
Also - Sophia Ridgeway Astley - Wife - aged: 51 - born: Newcastle upon
Lyne, Staffordshire. Plus 3 elder siblings and 1 domestic servant.

In 1912, he suffered from Rheumatism and in 1913, from Pneumonia.

WO374 - Attested at Liverpool on the 8th August 1914.   Aged: 19 years, 7
months and born at Colwyn Bay, Denbighshire.   He was residing at 3 Stoney
Hey Road, New Brighton. He was employed as a Clerk at Mead, King & Robinson
& Company.  He was 6 feet 1½ inches in height his chest measurements were
34/36 inches fully expanded.   His eyesight was recorded as 'Good', as was
his physical development.  Originally a Territorial soldier, whilst still a
Private, at Ashford, Kent on the 24th June 1915, he agreed to serve
overseas.  However, his 'Home' service was recorded as being from 8th
August 1914 to 4th August 1916.

On the 1st February 1916, he was recommended for a Commission with the
2/10th (Scottish) Battalion, King's Liverpool Rgt.   He was appointed 2nd
Lieutenant on the 3rd February 1916   At  Armentieres on the 1st May 1917,
he received a GSW (gun shot wound) to the bridge of his nose, fracturing
the nasal bones.  He was sent back down to Boulogne and then back to
London, via Dover on the 8th May 1917, where he was admitted to the 3rd
London General Hospital, Wandsworth, London SW.  His wound healed quite
quickly and he was in convalescence.  He was granted 3 week's leave from
the 17th May to the 7th June 1917, when he was required to report to his
Reserve Unit at Oswestry.

Probate was granted to his father - the Reverend John Henry Astley on the
24th February 1919.  The gross value of his estate was £241. 11. 1d

He was attached to the 1/6th Bn, Seaforth Highlanders.

M.I. - "He gave his boy's dear life for England".

His War Gratuity amounted to £11. 0. 0d

It would appear that Christopher had no connection with Trafford other than
his parents had moved to St. Mark's Vicarage, Dunham Massey sometime after
1914.