Francis William George Austin (1894 - 1916)

Born 24 Jun 1894 in Inverness Township, Megantic County, Quebec, Canada

Ancestors

Died 18 Sep 1916 at age 22 in France

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Biography

On June 24,1894, Francis William George AUSTIN, son of Francis Lewis Christian AUSTIN and Ann Eunice Catherine YOUNG was born at Quebec, Canada. He was baptized on October 22, 1894 at Inverness Methodist Church, Inverness Township, Megantic County, Quebec, Canada.^{[1][2][3][4][4][5]}

FRANCIS WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - BAPTISM REGISTER

On March 31, 1901, Francis, age 6 years was living with his parents Lewis and Eunice, his grandmother, Myrrha AUSTIN, siblings Marguerita, Herbert and Joseph and cousin, Hilda at Inverness Township, Megantic County, Quebec, Canada.^[2]

LEWIS F C AUSTIN & FAMILY - CENSUS OF CANADA, 1901

On November 15, 1915 at Montreal, Quebec, Frank enlisted for the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force. He joined the 87th Infantry Battalion, Canadian Grenadier Guards Overseas Battalion as a private. He was given regimental number 178082. At this time, he was a lumber dealer, single and was residing at Inverness Township, Megantic County, Quebec. Frank’s previous military service was with the 55th Battalion, St Joseph (55th Regiment Megantic Light Infantry).^[3]

FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - ATTESTATION

FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - ATTESTATION

On April 23, 1916, his unit sailed on the Empress of Britain from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. On May 5, 1916, Frank’s unit disembarked at Liverpool, England. On August 2, 1916, his unit embarked for France from Bramshott, England, arriving on August 10, 1916. On August 12, 1916, his unit disembarked at Havre, France.^[3]

FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - MILITARY WILL

On September 18, 1916, while in the field in France, Frank was hit by a shell receiving shrapnel in his left thigh. He was admitted to the O. C. Hospital 2nd Field Ambulance 1st Australian branch. He died as a result of his wounds.^[3][6]

PRIVATE FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - CIRCUMSTANCES OF DEATH

PRIVATE FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - CASUALTY FORM

PRIVATE FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - CEF PERSONNEL FILES, WWI

PRIVATE FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - MEDALS & DECORATIONS

Private Frank William George AUSTIN was buried at the Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Village of Reninghelst, Poperinge, Arrondissement Ieper, West-Vlaanderen (West Flanders), Belgium in plot XX, II, A, grave 13.^[3]

PRIVATE FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - GRAVES REGISTRATION REPORT

PRIVATE FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - MEMORIAL

PRIVATE FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN- HEADSTONE INSCRIPTION

PRIVATE FRANK WILLIAM GEORGE AUSTIN - HEADSTONE INSCRIPTION

Cemetery

Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Village of Reninghelst, Poperinge, Arrondissement Ieper (Ypres District), West-Vlaanderen (West Flanders), Belgium; Row A, Plot 2, Grave 13.^[3]

Research Notes

Errors on 1901 Canada Census = show that he was born in the United States and immigrated to Canada in 1901. Confirmed = he was born at Quebec, Canada.

Sources

1. ↑ Francis William George AUSTIN - Baptism Register

   Transcription:

   Austin Baptized

   Francis William George Austin son of Francis L. C. Austin and Eunice C Austin of Inverness was born June 24, 1894 and was baptized by me on Oct 22/94 in presence? of ? witnesses. A. O. Watts, Methodist Minister

   Source = Gabriel Drouin, comp.; Drouin Collection, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Ancestry.com

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Lewis F C AUSTIN & Family - Census of Canada, 1901

   Transcription:

   Source = Census of Canada, 1901

3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} Private Frank William George AUSTIN - Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) Personnel Files, WWI, 1914-1918.

   Transcription:

   ATTESTATION PAPER; Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force; Regimental Number = 178082; AUSTIN, Frank William George; Residence = Inverness, Megantic County, Quebec; Place of Birth = Inverness, Megantic County, Quebec; Next-of-kin = Mrs F L C AUSTIN, Mother; Address of Next-of-kin = Inverness, Megantic County, Quebec; Date of Birth = June 24, 1894; Age = 21 years, 4 months; Trade = Lumber Dealer; Single; In Active Militia = No; Military Service = 55 Battalion St Joseph; Date of Attestation = December 9, 1915; Place of Attestation = Montreal, Quebec; Presbyterian; Approved = December 16, 1915

   Unit Sailed from Bramshot, England = April 23, 1916

   Military Will = June 12, 1916

   Theater of War = France; Place of Death = In the Field; Shrapnel in his left thigh, Died of wounds received in action on September 18, 1916

   DISCHARGE DOCUMENTS; Frank William George AUSTIN; R O Number = 7515; Regimental Number = 178082; Rank = Private; Corp = 87th Battalion, Canadian Infantry; Canadian Grenadier Guards Overseas Battalion

   Source = Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) Personnel Files, 1914-1918; Accession 1992-93/166; Record Group = 150; Volume = Box 309 - 16; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Ancestry.com

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Private Frank William George AUSTIN - Canadian Virtual War Memorial

   Source = Canadian Virtual War Memorial;Veteran Affairs Canada; Private Frank William George AUSTIN

5. ↑ Private Frank William George AUSTIN - Commonwealth War Graves Commission Memorial

   Source = The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC); Private Frank William George AUSTIN

6. ↑ Private Frank William George AUSTIN - Circumstances of Death

   Source = Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; War Graves Registers; Circumstances of Death; War Graves Ledger Books; RG = 150, 1992-93/314; Box = 148; Volumes = 239–302; Ancestry.com (1 Image)