Born in Pontypridd, Glamorganshire to Alfred and Lilian Durston but they were a Cornish family, in 1911 living in Torpoint.
He worked at Devonport Dockyard. He married Emma Fairhurst of 88 Third Avenue, Luton.
At the time of enlistment, he was 5' 8" tall, weighing 156 lbs, with brown eyes and black hair.
He was awarded the Imperial Service Medal in Dec 1968.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Devon and Cornwall Scout Section | Scout Section Corporal | Unknown | 01 Jul 1944 |
| Cornwall Scout Section | Scout Section Corporal | 09 Nov 1940 | Unknown |
Dockyard worker
16 May 1939 Re-enlisted in No.3 Company, Devon and Cornwall Fortress Company, Territorial Army. Previously he had served in 5th Battalion Devonshire Regiment, Territorial Army on 9 Jul 1936. He was discharged on 29 Apr 1939 as his services were no longer required, allowing him to join the Royal Engineers. having attended for 15 days annual camp in 1939, he was embodied on 24 Aug 1939 just before the outbreak of war.
1 Jun 1940 Posted to 570 Corps Field Park Company (formed from Devon and Cornwall Fortress Engineers)
9 Nov 1940 Posted to Auxiliary Units, South West area. Appointed Acting Corporal on this date.
7 Feb 1941 Promoted War Substantive Corporal
Stuart Edmundson remembered "Sapper" Durston, though he was actually a Corporal. Royal Engineers are referred to in the Army as Sappers. He recalled Durston had been part of his Territorial Army Company before the war.
Anne Barks (nee Dingley) remembered Corporal Durston as he built her a rabbit hutch out of army procured timber. He also made a toy truck for Captain Edmundson's young son, William.
1 Jul 1944 Posted from Auxiliary Units to 2 (P) DBRE (2 (Pioneer) Depot Battalion Royal Engineers)
1 Jan 1944 Draft RJAMJ
28 Jul 1944 To 50 Reinforcement Holding Unit
6 Sept 1944 Embarked British Liberation Army (21st Army Group)
18 Feb 1945 Reduced to rank of Sapper for selling soap from British Army stocks
27 Mar 1945 to 39 Reinforcement Holding Unit
1 Dec 1945 Discharged
Trenwick, Hannafore , Looe, Cornwall
Stuart Edmundson
Royal Engineers Enlistment Card: FindMyPast
Anne Barks - daughter of John Dingley