Main CPGW Record
Surname: AUSTIN
Forename(s): Williamson
Place of Birth: Gargrave, Yorkshire
Service No: 122899
Rank: Pioneer
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Engineers
Battalion / Unit: 9th Labour Battalion
Division: ---
Age: 46
Date of Death: 1915-11-07
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: J. 1.
CWGC Cemetery: ST. HILAIRE CEMETERY EXTENSION, FREVENT
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: GARGRAVE, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Williamson Austin (born 26 August 1862) was the son of Alice Austin (born Broughton, Yorkshire, c. 1826), daughter of William and Ellen Austin.
1871 Gargrave, Yorkshire Census: Wilson Austin, aged 9 years, born Gargrave, grandson of Flora M. Stocdale [sic], widow.
Williamson was married to Elizabeth Cain in 1882.
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 21, Quakers Place - William Austins, aged 28 years, born Gargrave, Yorkshire, husband of Elizabeth Austins.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 16, Triangle, Union Square - Williamson Austin, aged 40 years, born Gargrave, Yorkshire, husband of Elizabeth Austin.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 9, Alexandra Buildings, Keighley Road - Williamson Austin, aged 48 years, born Gargrave, Yorkshire, husband of Elizabeth Austin.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pnr Williamson Austin, 122899, R.E. Theatre of War first served in: (1) France. Date of entry therein: 2.10.15. K. accid. 7.11.15.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pnr Williamson Austin, 122899, Royal Engineers.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pioneer Williamson Austin, 122899, 9th Lab. Bn., R.E. Date and Place of Death: 7.11.15. In the Field. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow - Elizabeth. £6 15s. 10d. Self and children.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Williamson. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Elizabeth, born 14.3.59. Address: 1, Devonshire Place, Skipton, Yorks. Children: Harry, born 3.6.00. Albert, born 15.9.04.
A short biography of Williamson is included in: ‘From Mills to Marching and Back Again – A History of Gargrave from 1900 to 1925’ by Sue Lyall and Donavon Slaven with contributions from George Ingle, Ray Jones and Martin Thompson (2019).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
AUSTIN, Williamson, 9, Keighley Road, [Skipton], 9th Labour Batt., R.E., knocked down by light engine and killed, 1915.
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Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Engineers
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
12 November 1915
A SKIPTON MAN'S FATE - ACCIDENTALLY KILLED IN FRANCE
Mrs. Austin, 9, Keighley Road, Skipton, has received official information that her husband, Pte. Williamson Austin, 9th Labourers Battalion, Royal Engineers, has been accidentally killed while serving with the British Expeditionary Force in France. The sad intelligence was contained in the following letter from Lieut.-Col. R. B. Haywood, R.E., Commanding 9th Battalion:-
"Dear Mrs. Austin, - It is my painful duty to write and let you know that your husband has suffered a sad accident, which, I regret to say, has cost him his life. He was returning to his billet from a neighbouring village yesterday evening about 8-30, and when crossing the light railway which passes across the road, he evidently failed to notice an engine and train. The former whistled, but failed to attract his attention, so that he was knocked down. The doctor was in attendance shortly after and pronounced life extinct, expressing the opinion that death has been instantaneous.
"Let me assure you of my profound sympathy in this shocking blow. You may rest assured that everything possible will be done to mark the presence of his resting place. The Church of England Chaplain will conduct the burial service this evening, and he will be laid to rest close to where the sad accident occurred. It will be my privilege to attend the service and offer reverence to one who lost his life for his country's cause, for, though not actually fighting, he was doing his duty."
Pte. Austin was 52 years of age, and only joined the Labourers Battalion about two months ago. He enlisted on the Monday and went to France on the Friday following. He leaves a grown-up family, one of his sons being Corpl.-Instructor Austin, who is attached to the 3/6 Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment, now at Clipston Camp. Prior to joining the Army, deceased was a boatman.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
12 November 1915
SKIPTON SOLDIER KILLED BY AN ENGINE
The wife of Private Williamson Austin, of the 9th Labourer's Battalion, Royal Engineers, who resides at 9, Keighley Road, Skipton, has received intimation that her husband was knocked down by a light engine while returning to his billet about 8.30 in the evening, death being practically instantaneous. He was to be buried in the place where he was knocked down, and a Church of England chaplain would have charge of the service. The letter came from the Lieut.-Col. commanding the battalion, and he expressed his regret and states that although deceased did not participate in the actual fighting, he had nonetheless done his duty to his country.
24 December 1915
CRAVEN'S ROLL OF HONOUR - SKIPTON
Pte. Williamson Austin, 9th Labourers' Battalion Royal Engineers, knocked down by a light engine and killed. His wife resides at 9, Keighley Road, Skipton.
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