Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Henry Paston, an agricultural labourer, born in the July quarter of 1855 in Claydon, Oxfordshire and baptised on the 24th June 1855 in the Church of St. Michael & All Angel’s, Fringford, Oxfordshire (son of Benjamin Paxton and Elizabeth Collier) and his wife Ann Paston (nee Treadgold, married on the 29th October 1876 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Westwood, Warwickshire), born in the October quarter of 1857 in Warwick and baptised on the 17th September 1857 in St. Mary’s Church, Warwick (daughter of Charles Treadgold, 1831-1899 and Emma Pheasey, 1836-1911). George Edward, a schoolboy, was born in the July quarter of 1883 in Berkswell, Warwickshire, and was baptised on the 29th July 1883 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Berkswell, his siblings were, William, a plough boy, born in the January quarter of 1880 and Jane Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born on the 2nd August 1885, the latter two siblings were both born in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, Ann, a schoolgirl, born on the 10th September 1881 in Berkswell and baptised on the 30th October 1881 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Berkswell, Charles born on the 17th June 1887 in Temple Balsall, Warwickshire and baptised on the 14th August 1887 in St. Mary’s Church, Temple Balsall and Florence Amelia, born in the January quarter of 1890 in Berkswell, in April 1891 the family home was at Shelford, Burton Hastings, Warwickshire.
In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at Long Street, Ryton, Bulkington, Warwickshire together with his father an above ground colliery banksman, his mother and siblings, Charles, a farm plough boy, Florence and Lucy Rebecca, born on the 1st June 1892 in Wolvey, Warwickshire and baptised on the 10th July 1892 in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Wolvey.
In April 1911 George was employed as a brick burner and was residing at Station Road, Bagworth, Leicestershire together with his wife Gertrude Elizabeth Paston (nee Jackson, married on the 25th December 1907 in St. Paul’s Church, Leicester), born on the 26th June 1878 in Glenfield, Leicestershire and their son Henry, born on the 24th May 1908 in Bagworth and baptised on the 4th September 1908 in the Church of The Holy Rood, Bagworth, this was the family home of George’s father-in-law, Henry Jackson, a colliery banksman, born 1855 in Glenfield. George and Gertrude had another son, George Edward, born on the 9th October 1914 in Bagworth and baptised on the 22nd February 1915 in the Church of The Holy Rood, Bagworth.
FAMILY NOTE: George’s father was officially registered at birth with the surname spelling of Paxton, this later became Paston, but George also used the surname of Baston, this was evident during his military service.
George’s two brothers died during the war. William died in France on the 14th April 1917 and Charles also died in France on the 9th August 1917.
George’s army service enlistment documents do not survive, therefore the currently available information pertaining to his military service has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted/Attested in Coventry, Warwickshire. Date not known.
Allotted. Service number. 8885.
Posted. To the Depot The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). Pte. Date not known.
Posted. To 1st Bn. The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). Date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in Havre, France. 12/8/14.
Died of wounds/killed in action. In the Field. 12/10/14.
Buried in Vailly British Cemetery, France. The inscription on his headstone reads: - “I know that my Redeemer liveth.”
Awarded the 1914 Star with Clasp & Rose, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
On the 8th May 1915, George’s widow was awarded a weekly Army Pension of twenty-one shillings, for herself and two children to commence on the 3rd May 1915.
MILITARY NOTE: There are a number of conflicting dates for George’s date and cause of death. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission give a date for his death as the 21st September 1914, it is also noted that the Graves Registration Officer during the process of exhumation, clearly identified the body as being a soldier with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, later altered to, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). The HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, similarly records the date of death as the 21st September 1914. The Register of Soldiers Effects records that George died of wounds between the 20th and 21st September 1915. The Pensions Record cards give the cause of death as died of wounds on the 14th October 1914. The Medal Index Cards and Award Rolls both record the date of death as the 14th October 1914 and the cause being, killed in action. The final twist is that in the Saturday November 7th, 1914 edition of The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury he is reported to have died of wounds on the 16th October 1914.
On Thursday November 5th 1914, The Leicester Evening Mail published the following article under the heading. LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR. – LOCAL WAR ITEMS. – A Bagworth soldier named Paston has died of his wounds. He leaves a widow and two children (one only a few days old).
On Saturday November 7th 1914, The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “BAGWORTH RESERVIST’S DEATH FROM WOUNDS.” – Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Paston, of Bagworth, who on Tuesday morning, received information from the War Office that her husband, George Paston, died on October 16th from wounds received in action. He died in a hospital in France. Deceased was a reservist in the 1st King’s Liverpool Regiment, and was much respected by the inhabitants of Bagworth. He was called up to join his regiment in the first week in August, and since that date Mrs. Paston has given birth to a child.
On Thursday October 12th, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 3, under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – PASTON. – In ever loving memory of my dear husband George, who died from wounds in France, Oct. 12, 1914. We often think of thee, dear one. If not with outward show. For hearts that mourn sincerely. Mourn silently and low. – From Wife and Children.
[recognitum XXVI-IX-MMXXIII]

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Article in the Coalville Times, Friday, November 6th, 1914:

BAGWORTH SOLDIER DIES FROM WOUNDS

Our readers will regret to learn that news has been received from the War Office this week that Mr Paston, of Bagworth, has died of wounds received while fighting in France. He leaves a widow and two children, the youngest being only a few days old. Mr Paston previous to the war was in the employ of the Bagworth Brick Company. He was much respected. Much sympathy is felt in the village for the widow and children.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby, September 2017.