SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY


Private John Samuel AUSTIN

4th Reserve Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment 39430
Royal Defence Corps (Horse Transport) 5080


John Austin was born in East Haddon in 1875, the son of Samuel Austin, an agricultural worker and his wife, Lucy. John worked as a labourer, both for a bricklayer and in the ironstone quarries. He married Alice Phoebe and moved with his growing family from East Haddon to Brixworth, then Creaton and then Spratton where the family lived in Middle Turn (now Brixworth Road).

John enlisted on 22 November 1915 (under Lord Derby's Scheme) and was called up on 29 December 1915 to the 4th Reserve Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. He was aged 39 years and 8 months. The regiment was on home service and John stayed with them for two months until 25 February 1916 when he was transferred to the Royal Defence Corps (Horse Transport). He was promoted to temporary Lance Corporal in 1917, but one month later became a Private again.

He does not seem to have served overseas - this maybe because of his age or possibly his low medical category. He was demobbed in February 1919. As he did not serve overseas, he was not entitled to the campaign medals. John died in Northampton in September 1955 aged 80.

The Austin's cottage in Middle Turn, Spratton (now demolished)
The Austin's cottage in Middle Turn, Spratton (now demolished)
The Austin's cottage in Middle Turn, Spratton (now demolished)
The Austin's cottage in Middle Turn, Spratton (now demolished)
Northamptonshire Regiment badge
Northamptonshire Regiment badge
Northamptonshire Regiment badge
Northamptonshire Regiment badge