Use space to open navigation items

Matthew Herbert Austin

Personal details

Mother's name Emily Austin Dyson
Father's name Thomas Coulson
Date of death Friday 12 October 1917
Place of death Passchendaele Belgium
Cause of death Killed in action

Service details

Date enlisted Wednesday 29 December 1915
Rank at enlistment Private
Rank at discharge Private
Service Infantry
Unit 35th Battalion
Company C Company
Awards British War Medal, Victory Medal

Story

Matthew Austin (Service No 707) was born in Clifton, NSW about 1892 and attended Helensburgh Public School. At the time of enlistment he was a married 23 year old labourer who enlisted in Newcastle. In 1914 he married Elizabeth Roberts and when he embarked he left her and a baby son behind. Matthew embarked on HM AT A 24 Benalla with C Company, 35th Battalion on 1st May 1916 and arrived in England on 9th July 1916.After training in England he was sent to France on 21st November 1916. On 18th July 1917 he was admitted to hospital sick but returned to his unit on 30th July. He was again in hospital sick for a week in August. He was a company signaller and while fighting at Passchendaele he was killed in action. He is buried in Passchendaele New British Cemetery Plot XIII, Row F, Grave 5.His file notes pension to be paid to his wife Elizabeth and son Donald. He also lists a pension to an ex-nuptial child Mary and names the mother.

Information sources

NAA: B2455, AUSTIN M H

Related links

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/461114/AUSTIN,%20MATTHEW%20HERBERT

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1503978/

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1732258/

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1946456/

https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=9498