Austin, Roy (4311)
Place of Birth: Melbourne, VIC
Age: 23 years 8 months
Enlistment Details: Monday, 11 January 1915 – Melbourne, VIC
Service Number: 4311 view online service record
Address:
Bentleigh, VIC
Next of Kin:
Harry Austin (uncle)
Bay Street
Port Melbourne, VIC
Embarkation Details:
Date: Thursday, 26 August 1915
Ship: HMAT Anchises A68
Port: Melbourne, VIC
Unit: 6th Field Ambulance – 3rd Reinforcements
Fate:
DOW: Friday, 16 November 1917
Place: France
Awards: MM
1918 ‘ELECTRIC SPARKS’, Port Melbourne Standard (Vic. : 1914 – 1920), 15 June, p. 3. , viewed 11 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88369155
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Brian Membrey
(Parents : William and Ellen May AUSTIN (both late), , educated Hornsby St State School, Windsor. He enlisted January, 1915 as a 24-year-old labourer/gardener with his uncle at 147 Bay Street, Port Melbourne, but Harry died in Port just three months later at 62 years of age, Austin’s aunt substituted prior to her receiving the late soldier’s service decorations, Military Medal and the Memorial Scroll and Plaque. Correspondence reveals she adopted Roy at eight years of age, his mother dying in childbirth and his father a few years later. He was awarded the Military Medal for tending wounded under fire in October, 1917; died of gas poisoning at the 83rd Dublin Hospital some 16 days after admission with the medical report reading :
“This patient was admitted on 26.10.17 showing symptoms of severe gas poisoning. He picked up under treatment for a day, but pulmonary complications arose and he gradually relapsed into semi-consciousness and succumbed on 16.11.17. He was buried on the 19.11.17 in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery”, (O.C., No 83 General Hospital)
Nursing Sister Isabel 0. Eveleigh, in a letter to Mrs. Austin; states: “He was quite conscious all. the time, and, though he suffered a good deal, his! last hours were very peaceful. He passed away quietly at 7.30 p.m. on November 16. About an hour before he went, lie asked me if they’ were going to send him home. After; that. I don’t think he spoke again”. (Port Melbourne Standard) http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page8502742
“DIED OF WOUNDS. AUSTIN—Died of wounds and gas poisoning on Nov. 16, 1917, at the 183rd Dublin General Hospital, Boulogne, France, Private Roy Austin, aged 28 years, A.M.C., 14th Field Ambulance, enlisted Jun., 1915, awarded the Military Medal, loved nephew of S. Austin and the late H. J. Austin, 147 Bay-street, Port Melbourne.
“When duty calls we must obey.”