Alphabetically: Previous | Next

11/05/1889 - 30/04/1916

Place of birth: Bromley, Kent
Last known address in Bromley: Weston Road

Military information

Regiment/Service: North Staffordshire Regiment
Battalion/Ship: 1st Bn
Rank: Private
Number: 9884

Family information

Parents: Thomas & Harriet Austen (nee Sweetlove)
Parents' occupation: Carman
Siblings: Elizabeth Ellen (Lily), Thomas, Marian (Minnie/Miriam) ,Ellen Louise (Nelly), Sidney Frank, Leslie

Census information

1891
Address: 55 Park End
1901
Address: 16 Mooreland Road
1911
Address: 25 Banmerton Road, Catford
Occupation: Gardener

Extra details

William was the 5th of Thomas and Harriet Austen's seven children.

There is a record of a William Charles Austen, born 11th May 1889 in Bromley, joining the Navy in April 1905 and being invalided out in November that year. He appears to re-enlist on 11th May 1907 for 12 years but as he is a gardener on the 1911 census this also didn't work out for him. He was described as having fair hair, blue eyes and fresh complexion. He was 5ft 4ins tall and had scars on his left hand and his nose. There is no other William Charles Austen registered in Bromley.

William joined the North Staffordshire Regiment and was sent to the Front on 10th September 1914. He saw most of the heavy fighting and was sent home on leave in December 1915. William went back to the Front where he died from the effects of gas poisoning. His brother Thomas was severely injured.