L/Cpl
Ernest Edward Austin
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1892 |
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Place of birth: Meredith, Victoria, Australia |
General information
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Profession: Farmer |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Lance Corporal |
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Service number: 2149 |
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Enlistment date: 15/09/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 1st Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 05/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Remus Wood, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Cemetery
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Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood Plot: XXVI Row: c Grave: 8 |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Lance Corporal Ernest Edward Austin, nicknamed “Snowey” by his comrades, was a member of the 1st Bn. Australian Infantry, 1st Australian Brigade, 1st Australian Division.
On the 2nd of October 1917, the 1st Battalion moved from Chateau Segard to Westhoek Ridge and arrived in the early morning of the 3rd. There the battalion made the final preparations for the upcoming battle the next day.
The 4th of October 1917 is known for the Battle of Broodseinde. The 1st Australian Brigade attacked at 6 a.m. with the 1st, 3rd and 4th Bn. Australian Infantry. The 3rd Australian Bn. was to start the attack, while the 1st and 4th Australian Bn.’s, respectively positioned on the left and the right, would be in support. Their goal was to take over the road from Broodseinde to Noordemdhoek. Soon after the start of the attack, at 9.30 a.m., both the first and second objective were taken and consolidated.
On the 5th, the Germans shelled the Broodseinde Road to Noordemdhoek, but their attacks were desultory and confined, so the 1st Australian Brigade was able to continue the consolidation of the line and reorganise their troops. Later that day, the 1st Australian Brigade was relieved by the 3rd Australian Brigade.
After the war, Lance Corporal Austin’s body was found near Remus Wood. However, it remains unclear on which day he fell, as some witnesses say he was killed on the 4th of October, while others claim he was killed on the 5th. We know with certainty that he served as a stretchbearer in the 1st Battalion’s “D”Company for the XIV Platoon and that he was hit by a shell near the frontline, which killed him instantly.
Lance Corporal Ernest Edward Austin now rests at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood.
On the 2nd of October 1917, the 1st Battalion moved from Chateau Segard to Westhoek Ridge and arrived in the early morning of the 3rd. There the battalion made the final preparations for the upcoming battle the next day.
The 4th of October 1917 is known for the Battle of Broodseinde. The 1st Australian Brigade attacked at 6 a.m. with the 1st, 3rd and 4th Bn. Australian Infantry. The 3rd Australian Bn. was to start the attack, while the 1st and 4th Australian Bn.’s, respectively positioned on the left and the right, would be in support. Their goal was to take over the road from Broodseinde to Noordemdhoek. Soon after the start of the attack, at 9.30 a.m., both the first and second objective were taken and consolidated.
On the 5th, the Germans shelled the Broodseinde Road to Noordemdhoek, but their attacks were desultory and confined, so the 1st Australian Brigade was able to continue the consolidation of the line and reorganise their troops. Later that day, the 1st Australian Brigade was relieved by the 3rd Australian Brigade.
After the war, Lance Corporal Austin’s body was found near Remus Wood. However, it remains unclear on which day he fell, as some witnesses say he was killed on the 4th of October, while others claim he was killed on the 5th. We know with certainty that he served as a stretchbearer in the 1st Battalion’s “D”Company for the XIV Platoon and that he was hit by a shell near the frontline, which killed him instantly.
Lance Corporal Ernest Edward Austin now rests at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood.
Sources 4
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1st Australian Infantry Battalion, (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/18/24). https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1338583 Sources used |
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1st Australian Infantry Brigade, (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/1/27). https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1338583 Sources used |
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First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455, AUSTIN E E). https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/SearchScreens/NameSearch.aspx. Sources used |
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McCarthy C., The Third Ypres Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account , (London, Arms & Armour Press, 1995), pg. 99. Sources used |
More information 4
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/480101 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=9203cbad-ed28-4183-859b-745151fa0a4d |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7346394 |
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The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=9406 |