My Grandfather's Story

Mon, Jul 29th 2019 at 6:30 pm - 9:35 pm

Michael Castiau - My Grandfather's Story

President Robin Taylor introduced our Speaker Michael Castiau.

Michael didn't know either of his grandfathers. His paternal grandfather Roger Castiau was born in Belgium in 1889. Michael's father died in 1989 and it was only after his mother died that he found various documents and medals relating to his grandfather, together with over 500 letters written by his grandfather to his grandmother. In 1911 the first Military Flying School opened in Belgium and his grandfather trained as a pilot.

He flew reconnaissance flights. He was one of only three pilots flying in Africa and was awarded the Africa Star and Croix de Guerre medals. By the time the war ended he had received many medals and citations. Michael's grandmother was half British and she moved to England during the war and Michael's father was born there. She never returned to Belgium. In 1926 Michael's grandfather sadly shot himself. It was a very interesting and moving story and Michael had brought along the medals for us to see.

Kitty Brook gave the vote of thanks.

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