DOUGLAS JAMES 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.
“BUBBLES”
Image from the Evening Star – 1945
Born: 24th October 1919, Ipswich.
Died: 22nd June 1944; age 24; died of Dysentery and Amoebic Malaria, whilst a Japanese PoW, at Malaya.
Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore.
Residence: 34, Benacre Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: Grocer.
Proceeded overland 25th June 1943.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 7344041.
Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps, 197 Field Ambulance.
Memorial Reference:
Column 105.
Kranji,
Singapore.
Relatives Notified & Address: Youngest son of Stanley Osmond Austin & Gertrude Amelia Austin; husband of Vera May Austin, of Norwich, Norfolk.
Father: Stanley Osmond Austin, born December 1888, Ipswich – died 1947, Ipswich. A Fittings Tester.
Mother: Gertrude Amelia Austin (nee Croft), born September 1890, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1921 4, Cumberland Street, Ipswich.
Douglas was 20 months old and lived with his parents and siblings.
Stanley Austin, 32 years & 6 months old, a Fitter in Engineering Works for Reavell & Co. Ltd., Air Compressors, of Ranelagh Road Works, Ipswich.
Gertrude Austin, 30 years & 9 months old, Home Duties.
Phyllis G. Austin, 8 years & 3 months old, at School, born Ipswich.
Brian Stanley Austin, 3 years & 7 months old, born Ipswich.
In 1939, Ipswich, Douglas married Vera May Hazeldene Gregory, born May 1918, Ipswich, of 43, Bulmer Road, Ipswich, a Clerk – book keeper – daughter of Percival Arthur Gregory & Florence Emily Chittock.
Vera and Douglas had one son:
Douglas Brian Austin, born February 1942, Ipswich.
Probate to Stanley Osmond Austin – father, a fittings tester.
Douglas’s brother, Brian Stanley Austin, born 11th November 1917, was also a Japanese POW put to work on the Thailand/Burma Railway – captured on the 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore. Brian, of 80, Kemball Street, Ipswich, enlisted on the 15th December 1939. He was ranked a Private, 7343636, for the Suffolk Regiment, 5th Battalion. Brian was held at Chungki Hospital Camp, Nong-Pladuk Camp, Saigon Camp, and Dallant Camp and in August 1945 was Liberated from Tourcham Camp.
Douglas’s portrait and profile will be displayed at a V.J. Day exhibition, “Be Ye Men of Valour,” from Saturday, 9th August to Monday, 25th August (Bank Holiday) 2025, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich, IP4 2BT.
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