Sir Herbert Austin of Austin Motors

[Waddell]

Can anyone provide a bit more background on Sir Herbert Austin and the Great War.

I've read that he was a Colonel (Territorial) in the Worcestershire Regiment, although this may not have been during the First World War and that he lost his only son in France in 1915.

Anybody know more?

Thanks,

Scott

[jay dubaya]

Hi Scott

In 1918 Volunteer Battalions were allowed to have Honorary Commandants. The lst and 2nd Battalions did not avail themselves of this privilege but the 3rd (Redditch) Battalion had Sir Herbert Austin. (from the Worcestershire Rgt web pages)

I believe his only son, Vernon James Austin served as a Lieutenant with the RFA and was killed in action 26th January 1915, sadly the CWGC doesn't record the unit details but I believe it to be 22nd Bty, 34th Bde RFA. He is reported as having taken a snipers bullet to the right side of the chest at 11.30am and died minutes later.

Hope this helps,

cheers, Jon

[Terry_Reeves]

Vernon Austin's body was brought back from the Western Front and was buried in St Martin's Church Yard Canterbury. He was, I think a Special Reservist. He was buried in Canterbury because he was educated at King's School in the town, a place he much loved. His name is on the school war memorial and on the Lickey parish war memorial on the Lickey Hills, overlooking Birmingham and Longbridge, where the Austin Factory was to be established. The family home was on the hillside and is I believe, now owned by Birmingham Council.

Incidentally, the library at King's School has copies of the school magazine which has an obituary for Austin junior and photographs of his funeral.

TR

[azureus]

his medal card

regards Dave

[Waddell]

Thanks for the information gents.

I was actually reading about Captain Arthur Waite, an Australian who married into the Austin family (he married one of the two daughters) after being nursed back to health by her on the western front. I noticed one reference to Herbert Austin losing his son in the war and was not aware of it.

Captain Waite was himself an artillery man and went on to do rather well for the family firm, winning the inaugural Australian Grand Prix in a supercharged Austin 7 special.

It struck me that although he lost one son it seems he gained another in a sense.

Terry- was the return of Vernon's body unusual during the war?

Regards,

Scott

[jay dubaya]

Scott

the repatriation of officers was not unusual at the time of Vernons' death, however during March 1915 Joffre gave orders banning the exhumation of battlefield graves.

Jon

[Waddell]

Thanks Jon.

Scott