Corporal Herbert A Austin

Herbert Arthur Austin was the son of Herbert and Florence Austin, of Northumberland Heath. He enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps, and volunteered for Airborne forces. He attended Brook Street School and became a lorry driver. He lived with his parents in Erith near Cambridge. 

Corporal Austin successfully completed Air Despatcher training and was posted to 223 Air Despatch Company, Royal Army Service Corps, and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

Cpl Austin was killed in action on 21 September 1944, aged 26, when Dakota KG-346, base Down Ampney, was damaged by Flak, but the pilot managed to return home, and made an unsuccessful landing attempt. The plane crashed in Dengie Flats, near Bradwell, off the coast of Essex, and although Herbert survived the crash he died of his wounds later that day and is buried at Erith (Brook Street) Cemetery, Section M, Grave 1283. He was just 26 when he died.