Name
William Austin
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1915
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
7899
Lincolnshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Panel 3
Belgium
UK & Other Memorials
Knebworth Village Memorial, Knebworth (old)
Pre War
Born in Knebworth, Hertfordshire. Resident in Luton, Bedfordshire. Enlisted in London.
Wartime Service
William arrived in France on the 5th November 1914 and served continually on the Western Front with his Battalion. On the 25th September 1915 the Battalion were involved in an attack that was conceived as an adjunct to the Battle of Loos. The aim was 'to capture about 1200 yards of the German front line system and link them up with the British line at the Well Farm and Le Bridoux salients, thereby both shortening and strengthening their our position. A four day bombardment was used and by day three it was noted that the German retaliatory fire had increased. Two mines were blown but did not break the surface, so they too were ineffective. The assault force moved forward at 3.30am on the 25th and at 4.25am, the barrage increased. The infantry moved forward under cover of the bombardment then leapt to the assault when the barrage lifted. The attack was successful in capturing the front line, as was the effort of two companies of 2nd Lincolnshire on the left. The one problem was a 200 yard section of trench between the Rifle Brigade and Berkshire companies that remained in German hands. It was linked to a communication trench through which the Germans could funnel forward counterattack troops. At 6.30am, the captured second line had to be abandoned under pressure from the counterattacks. The bombers were having difficulties with resupply and with the rain, which was affecting the fuses. On the right and in the centre, the German attacks were held. Pressure increased on the left but reinforcements of were fed into the left sector. Despite this further reinforcement, the situation in Brideaux Fort again became serious as the morning advanced. The supply of bombs gave out completely and the companies of 2nd Royal Berkshires and their reinforcements were forced back to the British lines at 2pm. The British centre then gave way under increased German pressure. Although the right flank held out longer, reinforced with two trench mortars, once contact with the centre companies was lost, the retreat of these forces was inevitable as well. The 2nd Lincolnshire’s casualties totalled 60 Killed, 229 Wounded and 32 Missing, including William Austin. He has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.
Acknowledgments
Paul Johnson
