Name
Montague Austin
1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/03/1917
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
R/10078
King's Royal Rifle Corps
10th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
GROVE TOWN CEMETERY, MEAULTE
IV. C. 21.
France
Headstone Inscription
PEACE PERFECT PEACE E.A.
UK & Other Memorials
Ashwell Village Memorial, St Mary’s Church Roll of Honour, Ashwell, Not on the Hertford memorials
Pre War
Montague Austin was born in 1893 in Ashwell, Herts, the son of Charles and Emma Austin and one of five children.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Back Street, Ashwell, where his father was working as a brewer's labourer. They remained at the same address in 1911 at which time Montague was working as a stable hand in domestic service.
His parents later lived at Foresters Cottages, Ashwell, Baldock, Herts.
Wartime Service
Montague enlisted on 1 February 1915, joining the King's Royal Rifles and serving with the 10th Battalion. He soon received promotion, reaching the rank of staff-sergeant. He repeatedly volunteered for active service but his services were considered more valuable in this country. He was eventually sent to France on 6 October 1916 and involved in very severe fighting.
In the third week of March 1917 Mr and Mrs Austin received a telegram informing them that their son had been very seriously wounded. A letter from the sister-in-charge of a base hospital followed, who explained that Montague had been badly wounded in the chest and that his condition was serious.
The following week a British chaplain wrote to his parents confirming he had passed away. He said: "I am sorry that I have some bad news to send you. Your son was brought here in a very bad condition yesterday morning. He was badly wounded, chiefly in the chest, and died a few hours afterwards. I buried him the same morning in Grovetown Cemetery, where he lies with many more of his comrades who have given their lives for king and country. He was given a military funeral, according to the use of the church of England. A cross will soon be erected to mark the spot where he lies."
Montague died of his wounds on 16 March 1917, aged 24, and is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a pension of 4s 6d, later increased to 5 shillings a week. His father received a war gratuity of £12 and pay owing of £5 17s 4d.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners, Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson
