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Edward George Austin

Personal details

Mother's name Ellen Caroline (nee Smith)
Father's name Samuel Austin
Date of death Thursday 20 July 1916
Place of death Fromelles, France

Service details

Date enlisted Sunday 11 July 1915
Rank at enlistment Private
Rank at discharge
Service Infantry
Unit 30th Battalion
Company C
Awards 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Story

Edward Austin was born in Queanbeyan in 1888. He came to Mount Kembla and, in 1912, married Teresa Walker. At the time he enlisted they had a son and he was working as a grocer's carter. He enlisted in the AIF on 11 July, 1915, and embarked with C company, 30th Battalion on the HMAT A72 Beltana, on 9 November 1915. He was one of the 5533 casualties at the battle of Fromelles who died on 19 and 20 July 1916. He was found, identified and buried. He lies in Rue-Petillon Military Cemetry, Fleurbaix, Bethune, Nord Pas de Calais, France. His grave was originally registered as Row C, Plot 2, Grave 79, but in 1925, due to layout and registration changes at Rue-Petillon, it was reregistered as Plot 1, Row K, Grave 51. The original communication of Edward's death to his wife, Teresa, stated Edward's service number as 592, raising the hope that Edward had not been killed; unfortunately, this was not the case.

Information sources

NAA: B2455; AUSTIN E G 593; Edward George

Related links

http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/items/ACCNUM_LARGE/RCDIG1067608/RCDIG1067608--272-.JPG

http://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1723552/