Name
Henry Edward Austin
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
17176
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Battalion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Henry Austin was born in 1895 at Farnborough Hampshire. He was recorded in the 1901 Census living in his grandfather’s house at 101 Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley, with his grand-parents, his mother Lily, and step-father Charles Clark. Charles worked as a Garden Labourer, and Lily was employed as a Laundry Worker in the village, and by 1911 Henry worked as a Butcher. In the 1911 Census the family still lived at101 Breakspeare Road.
In October Henry was recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour with Kitchener’s Army. He was one of the many thousands that flocked to the recruiting stations at the beginning of the War. By December 1914 he was recorded in the Roll of Honour serving with the 8th Bedfordshire’s, and each month he was recorded with the same unit until January 1918.
In October 1916 the Parish Magazine noted that Henry has been wounded, and this was reported in the 21st October 1916 edition of the Hertfordshire Advertiser. In January 1918 he was listed with the 2nd Bedfordshire’s, and in June 1918 the Magazine reported that he had been taken Prisoner of War and was in Germany, and in October 1918 more information was provided –
“We are glad to say that Henry Austin, who was announced in the June Magazine to be a wounded Prisoner of War in Germany, is now back in England by exchange, and home in Abbots Langley on a month's leave. He had six months of most trying experiences, and we are glad to welcome him back”.
It was likely that Henry was captured during the German Spring Offensive in March and April 1918, and although initially reported as “Missing in Action” eventually news that was received later confirmed that he was in captivity in Germany. Henry was recorded in the Absent Voters Records in Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919, serving with 2nd Bedfordshire’s and his address was given at 101 Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley.
Henry’s cousin, Stanley Austin, also served in the War, and survived.
Henry Austin survived the War.
Additional Information
Prisoner of War
Possibly formerly with the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
