Find this person in Sandall's history of 1/5th Lincs
(Recommended for Military Medal)
At GOMMECOURT at 4am on the 3rd July 1916 a body lying sixty yards in front of the parapet was noticed to move. Lt. Welby went out to investigate and found a Pte. in the 1/7th Sherwood Foresters wounded in the head, just recovering consciousness. He returned and asked for two volunteers to help with a stretcher. L/Cpl. Bowness and Pte. Austin went out with him and got the wounded man on the stretcher. They were heavily sniped at and were compelled to lie down until the position of the sniper was located and a Lewis-gun turned upon the spot from our trenches. Undercover of its fire Lt. Welby, L/Cpl. Bowness and Pte. Austin brought the wounded man in at 4.45am.
Submitted 05/07/1916; Awarded M.M. L/G 23/08/1916
(Recommended for Bar to Military Medal)
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when a raid was made on the enemy trenches S.W. of CITE ST. ELIE on 8 September 1917. The raiding party found the enemy first and second line unoccupied, but the third line strongly held and protected by wire. Cpl. Austin, who was in charge of a Lewis-gun, pressed forward and mounted his gun in an exposed position between the enemy first and second, and opened fire on the enemy third line. He caused an enemy machine-gun in the third line to change position several times. He remained with his gun in position although on the line of a 'minen werfer' barrage. There is no doubt that he harassed the enemy greatly, when they were firing heavily from their third line. When the raiding party withdrew, he remained behind to cover them and showed great coolness, although his gun jammed. He set a splendid example throughout. He was granted the Military Medal for gallantry at Gommecourt on July 3rd 1916. Strength of raiding party: 5 officers 123 Other Ranks.
Submitted 12/09/1917; Card of Recognition 15/09/1917; Awarded Bar of M.M. 17/09/1917