Eldest son of Frederick and Emma Austen
Unable to find a listing in 1891 Census
1901 Census aged 11 living at 50 Sidney Road, Borstal with his parents and 5 siblings. His father is a cement labourer and mother a dressmaker working at home.
1911 Census aged 21 still living at 50 Sidney Road and employed as a Domestic Gardener. His father is listed as a General Labourer and mother still a dressmaker with the eldest daughter assisting. Archie has also gained another brother.
Military Career
Private in 2nd/4th BnThe Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Died on 30th December 1917 and buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Cemetery, Egypt. Service No 39452
Memorial Inscription in Borstal Mission
http://www.everymanremembered.org/profiles/soldier/475844/
His effects totalled £7 15s. 1d.
His battalion were based in Egypt from August 1915 and fought at Gallipoli and Gaza. At the time of Archie’s death, they were involved in heavy fighting in Palestine around Bethlehem and Jerusalem between 1st and 28th December 1917 with heaviest fighting over Christmas itself. The battalion moved in to Brigade reserve on the 28th December 1917. As Archie was recorded as dying on 30th December it is likely that he was wounded during the course of this fighting.
http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/war_diaries/local/2_4Bn_Queens.shtml
Ancestry.com sources
1901 Census RG13; Piece: 725; Folio: 109; Page: 20
1911 Census Class: RG14; Piece: 3889; Schedule Number: 207
National Army Museum; Chelsea, London, England; Soldiers’ Effects Records, 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333; Record Number Ranges: 685001-686500; Reference: 408
Other sources
The Queens Royal Surrey Regiment Association
Research:
Sean Ryan, 2016