Name
Cyril John Austin
1st July 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/05/1918
25 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
1st Battalion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MONT-BERNANCHON BRITISH CEMETERY, GONNEHEM
I. E. 13.
France
Headstone Inscription
"UNTIL THE DAY BREAKS AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY"
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield War Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book
Pre War
Cyril John Austin was born on 1st July 1892 in Hatfield, Herts, son of Josiah Austin (B 1849 in Hatfield) and Rhoda Grace Austin (nee Samuels) (B 1857 in Hatfield). The youngest of two brothers. He was Baptised on 4th September 1892, in the Parish of Bishops Hatfield.
He attended Countess Ann school from July 1895 to June 1899, then transferred to the Hatfield Boys School.
1901 Census records Cyril aged 8, living with his parents and 3 siblings in Park Street, Hatfield. His father was recorded as a general labourer and his mother a dressmaker.
By 1911 he had left school and was working as a Clerk, still living with his parents in Park Street, Hatfield. He was now working as a clerk, his father a bricklayer and his mother still listed as a dressmaker.
Wartime Service
On his enlistment Cyril was posted to the 12th (County of London) Battalion (The Rangers). His medal card records him as a Private with Service No. 4646 and then as a Sargent with the Service No. 471765, still with the 12th London's. He landed in France with his Battalion on 9th June 1916.
He was Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant Cyril John Austin on 27th August 1917, and posted to the 1st Battalion, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of January 1917 recorded him in the 17th list of men mobilised from Hatfield, - Cyril John Austin – Fore Street – 12th London Ranger.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of June 1918 recorded: “Among those who have laid down their lives for their country, we do not think that there is one who has laid down his life with a clearer conscience, or a brighter faith than Cyril Austin. Only the other day he was with us with his buoyant presence, having obtained the commission which he well earned. We have only lately heard thro’ a side channel, how great his influence had been with his fellow-men especially in the direction of their presence at the Holy Communion- and now his works do follow him. Our deepest sympathies go with his parents and Miss Smith. We are allowed to publish the following:-
Dear Mrs Austin,
I very much regret to inform you that your son, Lieut. C. J. Austin, 1st Kings Own Regiment, was killed last night during an enemy bombardment. May I offer you in the name of all ranks of the Battalion our deepest sympathy at your sad loss, and assure you that we also feel his loss very deeply. As Battalion Signal Officer, your son lived at Headquarters, so that I had every opportunity of seeing and appreciating his very excellent work at all times. He was an officer I can ill afford to lose. Apart from his work, he was invaluable in many ways. Always cheerful and willing, he was a great favourite with all ranks, always having a cheery word for the men and ready to lend a helping hand. Throughout the recent hard fighting he has never failed, and I have every reason to be grateful for his energy and zeal. His body is being taken back to-night and I have arranged for him to be buried some miles from the line. Again with expression of the deepest sympathy at your loss, I remain yours sincerely,
(signed) Cyril R. Carter, Lieut.-Col.,
Comdg. “Kings Own” Regt.
The Herts. Advertiser of 10.3.1917: "Sgt C J Austin. ‘A plucky Hatfield Lad’: Hatfield is again honoured by the success of another of her brave lads. Sgt. C J Austin who enlisted on January 1st 1916 in the …………….th County of London Regiment holds an excellent record of service. He went out to France in June and in the following September received his first stripe. The next month saw him become full Corporal and on Feb. 13th of this year he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
As Lance Corporal Austin he especially distinguished himself. He took part in an attack on October 7th behaving with great gallantry. The attack commenced at 1.45 p.m. and after remaining in a shell hole for five hours exposed to bomb fire he pluckily retrieved a Lewis gun. Whilst engaged in this perilous act he heard the cry of a wounded comrade. Again he went forward for a distance of some twenty yards; but failing to achieve his object he was obliged to return. Nothing daunted, he made a second attempt, this time accompanied by another soldier and under terrific gunfire they succeeded in rescuing their pal. During the same night Austin held 200 yards of trench with sixteen men. His bravery, devotion to duty, and good conduct, have been such as to merit the acknowledgement of the commanding officer of ……………the London Division in the following words, “Your Commanding Officer and the Brigade Commander have informed me that you have distinguished yourself by your conduct in the Field. I have read their report with much pleasure.”
Sgt Austin is enjoying a month’s leave at the expiration of which he will join the OTC preparatory to taking up a commission."
Later the Herts. Advertiser of 1.6.18 recorded: "2nd Lieut. C J Austin
Mr and Mrs J Austin of the Town Lodge, Hatfield have learned from the War Office that their younger son, Second Lieut. Cyril J Austin, King’s Own Royal Lancs. Regt., was killed in action on May 17th. Lieut. Austin who would have been 26 years of age on July 4th, was in civil life employed with the engineering firm of Messrs Cooper Stewart, London. He joined the 12 London Regt. (The Rangers) in November 1915 and went to France in the following June. He received special mention for gallant conduct on the field and on the recommendation of his officers returned to England in February 1917 to take up a commission. He was trained in Ireland and in September last was gazetted to the King’s Own Royal Lancs. Regt., with which he has served in France since October 22nd last. Much sympathy is felt for Mr and Mrs Austin in their very sad bereavement."
Awarded the Victory Medal & British War Medal.
Additional Information
The value of his effects were £69-07s-02d, Pay Owing and £12, War Gratuity, the recipient is not shown.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
