AUSTIN Reginald "Reg" Charles  

Compiled by Gordon Freegard based on research by Merilyn Stewart

Reginald,known as "Reg",was born on 5th  June 1899 in Beverley, Western Australia. He enlisted on 18th July 1917 – he was 19 years old, a single labourer who gave his next of kin as his father Charles Thomas Austin, and his address as "Salt River Mail" via Gnowangerup.
Reg departed from Fremantle on 30th October 1917 aboard the HMAT A60 Aeneas. Reg's brother Malcolm Austin 7263 followed five months later. Sam Stewart 3923 was also aboard the Aeneas, as was Ted Clarke 4315 and Fred Grimster 4437. Fred was killed in action seven months later. Reg was an expert rifle shot (Lewis gun). Upon his return he involved himself in community activities.
He became lifelong resident of the Gnowangerup district, Mr. Austin was a proud veteran of World War I. He actively participated in the Returned Soldiers' League during the interwar years and dedicated many years of service to the community as a member and chairman of the Road Board. He was also involved in the early Albany Development Committee and made significant contributions to the hospital board.

REG AUSTIN
 

An avid lover of the outdoors, Reg enjoyed bush life, fishing, and was an accomplished marksman with the Gnowangerup Rifle Club. During World War II, he played a key role in establishing Gnowangerup's Rifle Corps, which later became the Volunteer Defence Corps, where he served as a Corporal and then as a Sergeant. Throughout this time, he was actively engaged in organizing committees to support and welcome home servicemen on leave.
In his later years, Reg found joy in lawn bowling and was a respected member of the Gnowangerup Bowling Club. He was also deeply committed to his faith, having served as a Past Master of the Gnowangerup Masonic Lodge and held a Grand Lodge rank. Reg was known for his warm and friendly personality, and although he had stepped back from public life in recent years, his absence will be felt by many who had the privilege of calling him a neighbor.
Before retiring, Mr. Austin farmed a small property at Jackitup, allocated to him under the Returned Soldiers' Land Settlement plan following World War I. Although he and Mrs. Austin did not have children of their own, they lovingly raised Barry Bateman, the son of a young widow.
He was President of the RSL and a great supporter of ‘The Echo’, and a sketch of him appears therein. Reg was a member of the Gnowangerup VDC in Gnowangerup during WWII.
Reg obtained a farm through the Soldier Settler Scheme, the farm had previously been owned by the Hinkley family and was divided in two – Stan Dolley received the other portion.
Reg married Sister Pearl Hart (9/3/1894-11/8/1984) who had arrived in the early 1920’s ran the local hospital with the support of the Hospital Board.
Reg was a significant contributor to raising funds and the organising the erection of the new hospital, which until 1929 was privately funded and still relied on public donations throughout the 1930’s.
Pearl was also known to be a ‘willing community worker’ (Pearl Marshall, p42).
He passed away on 31st December 1972 and is buried alongside Pearl in graves numbered 147/148 in the Anglican portion of the Gnowangerup Cemetery.

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.