Name
Vincent John Austin
20th November 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/07/1916
19 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
301922
London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
5th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GOMMECOURT BRITISH CEMETERY NO.2, HEBUTERNE
II. H. 2.
France
Headstone Inscription
"NOBLY THY DUTY DONE REST EVERMORE GOD'S WILL NOT OUR'S"
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield War Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Dagmar House School Memorial, St Ethelreda's Church, Bishops Hatfield, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield
Pre War
Vincent John Austin was born in Wood Green, Middlesex on 20th November 1896, son of Vincent Jas Austin (a School Teacher) (B 1862 in Hatfield) and Rebeca Austin (nee Ascoli) (B 1865 in Buckhurst Hill, Essex). The youngest of two children. He was Baptised on 21st March 1897, at St Michael, Wood Green, Middx. At the time the family lived at 75 Bury Road, Noel Park, Wood Green.
1901 Census records Vincent aged 4, living with his parents, and sister Rica Clara 7, at 7 Bury Road, Noel Park, Wood Green, Middx. His father, (born in Hatfield) was a teacher of manual instruction.
By 1911 the family had moved to Hatfield and were living at Vine Cottage, New Town, Hatfield. His grandmother Emma Austin was also living with the family. Vincent’s father is now listed as a handicraft instructor (woodwork) with the London County Council.
Vincent John Austin was a pupil at the Dagmar House School for boy's, Hatfield
Officially recorded as born in Wood Green and was living in Hatfield when he enlisted in London.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in London in November 1915. Posted to the 5th (City of London) Battalion (London Rifle Brigade), initially with the Service No. 2950 then 301922. He landed in France on 28th May 1916.
On 1st July 1916, he was with his Battalion in front line trenches at Hebuterne. The Battalion suffered heavy casualties on a diversionary attack on Gommecourt, Vincent being one of the casualties.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of December 1915 recorded in the 16th list of men mobilised from Hatfield: “Austin Vincent – New Town – 5th City of London Regt.”
Then the Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of August 1916 recorded: “Missing: Vincent Austin, 5th City of London Rifle Brigade, Vincent Austin and George Panter. – Very great sympathy is felt for the parents of these two brave young men in their cruel anxiety, for all they know is that both their sons are missing. Hope is still possible and with courage and fortitude they do still hope, but the agony of suspense waiting for further news, must be hard to bear. May God grant that their patience and faith may be rewarded soon by good news of their devoted sons.”
The September 1916 and October 1916 editions of the Parish Magazine were still listing Vincent as missing.
The Herts. Advertiser of 29th July, 1916 (Panter & Austin News) reported: "Missing – Privates Gordon Panter of the London Scottish and Vincent Austin of the London Rifle Brigade have been notified as missing since July 1st. The former is the younger son of Mr A Panter of Beaconsfield Terrace and organist at Lemsford Church. The latter is the only son of Mr Vincent Austin, Vine Cottage Newtown, a member of the Hatfield Parish Council."
Additional Information
Mrs R. C. Reeves of Vine Cottage, Newtown, Hatfield, orederd his headstone inscription: "NOBLY THY DUTY DONE REST EVERMORE GOD'S WILL NOT OUR'S"
His effects of £2-19s-1d, Pay Owing and £3, War Gratuity went to his father Vincent.
Hatfield Parish Council, Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Vincent Austin (Mother) of Newtown, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
