Bromley War Memorial

Parents: William & Mary Ann Austen (nee Reynolds)
Parents' occupation: Cowman
Siblings: Herbert John, Frances Mary, Alice Julia Jane, Naomi Kate
Wife: Sarah Louise Sherwood
Marriage date: 25-06-1904

Census information

1891
Address: Cooper's Farm Cottages, Main Road
1901
Address: 22 Johnson Road
Occupation: Gardener
1911
Address: Oldfield Lodge, Oldfield Road, Bickley
Occupation: Gardener

Extra details

Henry was the middle child of William and Mary Ann Austen's five children. By 1881 the family had moved from Tenterden to Bromley. In 1895 Henry became a gardener to Mr Symington of Oldfield, Bickley and remained there until he joined up. On 25th June 1904 he married Sarah Louise Sherwood at St James' Church, Kennington.

He served as a Special Constable for four years for which he received a long service medal. Henry joined the Forces on 23rd May 1918 and was sent to France on 26th September. His Unit War Diary shows that they were holding the line on the east side of the Oise Canal between the lock 2 miles south of Catillon and the bridge at Petit Cambresis, in preparation for the final push. The entry for 29th October 1918 records
"Battalion held the line of the canal by means of small posts arranged in depth, and the patrols sent out at night reported that there were no enemy this side of the canal, except at the bridgehead in Petit Cambresis. 2 other ranks killed and 13 wounded. Enemy harassing fire (especially in the early hours of the morning when it assumed the proportions of a heavy counter preparation) was exceptionally heavy throughout the tour."

Thank you to Victor Longhorn for photos and information.

Additional photographs

Source: Sarah Louise Austen

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