Name
Joseph Norman Rostern
23 Feb 1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/03/1918
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Manchester Regiment
2nd/7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PERONNE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
III. P. 27.
France
Headstone Inscription
IN EVER LOVING MEMORY SON OF MR. & MRS. ROSTERN "PRESTWYCH", NORTHWOOD MIDDLESEX
UK & Other Memorials
Aldenham School Memorial, Aldenham, Rostern Memorial Window,Holy Trinity Church, Northwood, Middx. Joseph Norman Rostern Window, Prestwich Greater Manchester
Pre War
Younger son of Joseph Rostern CBE, Chief Goods Manager Great Central Railway and Clara (nee Walkden). Born at Prestwich in 1895 and educated at Aldenham School.
After matriculating from London University he completed his studies at Tours, France and Dusseldorf, Germany.
Wartime Service
He joined Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment on 4 Sep 1915. While in Plymouth he gained a commission (4 Jan 1916) with the Manchester Regiment and then went to France in March 1917. He was originally posted Missing but later reported killed in action on 28 Mar 1918.
His captain; “He died as any soldier would wish to die, fighting to the last, selling his life dearly; how proud we are of him: I feel sure that the heroic and splendid bravery he has shown must help us all” Another Brother Officer wrote:- "He was one of the most sturdy and brave heroes we have had in the battalion. Although he had the opportunity of ‘flying for it’, he chose a nobler path, and stood his ground with his men right up to the last. Few of the stories that one reads could touch the story of his fidelity and bravery if it should be written, and you have every reason to be proud of his magnificent behaviour when the vital question came to be answered. The men loved him, and speak in glowing language of his wonderful leadership and undaunted courage”
Additional Information
His father, Mr J Rostern of 'Prestwych', Northwood, Middlesex, ordered his headstone inscription: "IN EVER LOVING MEMORY SON OF MR. & MRS. ROSTERN "PRESTWYCH", NORTHWOOD MIDDLESEX" Older Brother Eric Walkden Rostern joined the Royal Engineers Rail Traffic Section and served in France from Oct 1914 , being awarded Military Cross and survived the War.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Tony James
