ALFRED JOHN AUSTIN
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 1885, Ipswich.
Died: 4th June 1915; age 29; KiA – Dardanelles.
Residence: 7, Parade Road, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 25th April 1915 – Balkans.
Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 1231
Regiment: Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st Battalion.
(formerly R.A. volunteer)
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.
Memorial Reference:
Panel 58 to 72 or 218 to 219.
Turkey (Gallipoli).
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Ada M. Austin, of 7, Parade Road, Ipswich and the late John W. Austin.
CENSUS
1891 280, Woodbridge Road, Ipswich.
Alfred was 5 years old and living with his parents & sisters.
John White Austin, 28, a Gardener, born Ipswich.
Ada Mary Austin (nee Randall), 27, born Brantham, Suffolk.
Hilda May Austin, 3, born Ipswich.
Elsie Agnes Austin, 11 months, born Ipswich.
1901 12, Parade Terrace, Ipswich.
Alfred was 15 years old & living with his widowed mother & sisters & stepsister.
Ada, 37.
Hilda, 13.
Elsie, 10.
Ivy Mabel Austin, 1, born Ipswich.
1911 India.
Alfred was 25 years old, a Soldier, ranked Private in the Lancashire Fusiliers.
Alfred’s father, John White Austin, died on Christmas Day, 1896, in Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Ada Austin – mother, Hilda Austin and Elsie Austin – sisters.
The Gallipoli Campaign (Dardanelles Campaign) 17th February 1915 – 9th January 1916
The Campaign aimed to capture the Ottoman Empire’s capital, Constantinople and to open up a new front, taking German and Turkish forces away from Europe and North Africa, providing a better sea route to Russia and the Black Sea. The campaign was an Anglo-French task force, but is better known for the contribution and fierce fighting from the Commonwealth forces of the Australian and New Zealand force, the “ANZAC” (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps). The Campaign was to fail due to poor mapping and planning. The forces landed on beaches with cliffs and soon became bogged down in trench warfare, disease and supply routes all hampered by the enemy. Evacuating in January 1916.
It is estimated that over 50,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers died and over 100,000 were wounded in the campaign.
4th June 1915, The Third Battle of Krithia was fought on the Gallipoli peninsula. The main objective was to gain land and height, in an attempt to consolidate the beachhead and protect the 78 Howitzer Guns at Helles on Anzac Cove, which were now low on ammunition, and relying on naval support for supply and protection.
The 1st Battalion, attached to the 29th Indian Infantry Brigade, held a well-established trench system facing the Turkish line, which had developed into an organised trench pattern. The 4th of June was a bright sunny day, orders for an eight-hundred-yard advance had been given after weeks of planning for a 6-day offensive. All five of the Lancashire Fusiliers Battalions at Gallipoli were to take part in the attack, the 1st Battalion taking part on only the first day.
Their first objective was to cross no man’s land from Gurkha Bluff into the “J 10” Turkish trench system, then “J 11” as the second objective. A heavy bombardment from shore and at sea proved not to be sufficient. The counter-bombardment from the Turkish caused more British casualties. At 12:00 hrs, the men were ordered to go over the top. Many men were hit as soon as they reached the parapet of the British trench. Most men only managed to advance 30-70 yards, being held up by accurate machinegun and rifle fire. Mines exploded as they advanced, causing many casualties. “D” company, led by Captain H. R. Clayton, reached the Turkish line but was killed. His body was found two months later on the Turkish barbed wire. Gorse fires were started from the mines, causing much confusion. No headway was made, and throughout the day and night, heavy Turkish machine gun and artillery fire held back any advance. The Battalion was relieved on the 6th of June, and 14 officers and 500 men had been killed or wounded.
We have found 3 Ipswich men who are remembered on the Ipswich War memorial from the 1st Battalion, the Lancashire Fusiliers, who served in India together before the war, and we believe, if not friends, were known to each other as being of the same age group and all from Ipswich. All died on the same day in the same action.
A 4th Ipswich man, Percy Hugh Willoughby, age 32, died of wounds on the 5th July of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.
Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st Battalion.
Age 30
Lancashire Fusiliers, 1st Battalion.
Age 27
Alfred (no.49) 1st Bn pictured in Alexandria. Courtesy of Graham Lambert & Museum of the Lancashire Fusiliers
THE THIRD BATTLE OF KRITHLIA
THE LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS 1st Battalion:
Gallipoli: http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/battles/the-campaign-at-gallipoli/
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