SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY


Corporal Frank AUSTIN

2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment 13116
Queens Own Royal West Surrey Regiment 84859


Frank was born on 10 April 1897 in Third Turn, Spratton (now Smith Street) the son of Fred Austin, a shoemaker, and his wife Annie. The Austins were a long-established family in Spratton. When he was 13 Frank, a stable boy, was confirmed in St Luke's Church (now known as St Andrew's Church). Like his older brother William, he quickly volunteered for service when war was declared in 1914 and the following year was sent to the Western Front with the 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment. Aged only 18 years, he was wounded at the Battle of Auber's Ridge on 9 May 1915 when so many of his comrades were killed. He was wounded again on 26 October 1915 and was sent to a hospital at Sheerness.

In March 1916 he returned to France but was wounded for a third time at the Battle of St Eloi Craters, near Ypres. Again he was returned to England, but this time he stayed on home service (probably with the 3rd Battalion, Royal West Surrey Regiment) until he was demobbed in 1920. Frank was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He died in Northampton in December 1975 aged 78.

Fred Austin's house in Third Turn, Spratton with his shoemaking premises in the foreground. Frank Austin was born here
Fred Austin's house in Third Turn, Spratton with his shoemaking premises in the foreground. Frank Austin was born here
Fred Austin's house in Third Turn, Spratton with his shoemaking premises in the foreground. Frank Austin was born here
Fred Austin's house in Third Turn, Spratton with his shoemaking premises in the foreground. Frank Austin was born here