James Stewart Austin

Conflict: 
WW2
Additional Information: 

Son of George Lake Austin and Myra Adah Austin, of Wellington City, New Zealand.

References:
  • CWGC
  • New Zealand Nominal Rolls (WW2)
  • Henderson (1954)
  • BDM Online
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

“Then, just before sunset, just before sailing time for Egypt, there was a drone in the distance and half a dozen Stukas came in, flying low and fast. The ship carried guns fore and aft and was a legitimate target.
        
Five bombs struck the crowded Hellas; three burst alongside on the wharf. In a few minutes flames seemed to be everywhere. Surrounded by the wounded, the dead, and the panicstricken, Staff-Sergeants Wilson and Cooney worked valiantly in a race against the fires, quietly organising rescue parties to sort the wounded from the dead.
        
Diving overboard, Drivers Cliff Lockyer, Thornton, and ‘Scotty’ McIntyre set off to swim across the harbour away from the burning ship. Lockyer, struggling across the quartermile of sea, reached the shore to find McIntyre, black with oil. ‘It was serious, but we couldn't help laughing at ourselves, all dirty, all nude.’ Driver Ramsay, among those who made for the shattered docks, badly burned his hands and legs on the scorching bolts and staples in the smouldering piles.
        
Driver ‘Ginger’ Wingham, helpless from the strafing which had killed Captain McAlpine six days ago, was helped by Ian Cooney and another driver to mooring ropes still intact, down which he slid to safety. Staff-Sergeant Hoare, suffering from concussion and a broken arm and jaw, was a pitiful sight with face and legs blackened and clothing ripped and torn. Sergeants Mellsop and Delaney were found among the dead, together with five others, Drivers Thurlow, Hook, Austin, Allanson, and Patrick. Few, if any, escaped from the shambles of the once luxurious smoke-room.” [Henderson (1954)]

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Service Number: 
4432
Name:
James Stewart Austin
Date of Birth:
03 January 1905
Place of Birth:
Palmerston North (registration), Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand
Next of Kin: 
Mrs M A Austin (mother), 62 Ross Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Date of Enlistment:
Not known
Locality on Enlistment: 
62 Ross Street, Kilbirnie, Wellington
Place of Enlistment: 
Wellington, New Zealand
Marital Status:
Single
Occupation on Enlistment:
Tramways Employee
Unit:
New Zealand Army Service Corps, 4 Reserve Mechanical Transport Company

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Date of Death:
24 April 1941
Day of Death:
Thursday
Age at Death: 
36
Conflict: 
WW2

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:
Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF), 1st Echelon
Embarkation Place:
Wellington, New Zealand
Embarkment Date:
05 January 1940
Destination:
Egypt

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery: 
Cemetery Reference: 
Face 14.
Cemetery Location: 
Greece
James Stewart Austin
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