Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward E. Austin an Engine Pattern Maker, born 1857 in Harby, Leicestershire and his wife Emily A., born 1865 in Hose, Leicestershire. Thomas William Edward was born in 1894 in Salford, Lancashire, his siblings were Beatrice, born 1890 and Erwin, born 1892, both siblings were born in Salford, Lancashire. In March 1901 the family home was at 27, Jane Street, Salford, Lancashire. In April 1911 Thomas was employed as a Furnishing Shop Assistant and was residing with his parents and siblings in the family home at 4, Cardigan Street, Pendleton, Salford, Lancashire. On Friday September 7th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – HOSE. LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED.- Pte. Wm. Austin, of the Manchester’s, was reported by the War Office as missing from 12th October 1916. It is now reported from the Record Office of the regiment that the Army Council have been regretfully constrained to conclude that he is dead. Pte. Austin was in his 23rd year, and a son of Mr and Mrs Ed. E. Austin, of the Rose and Crown, Hose. Prior to the war he was in the employ of Messrs Kendal, Milne and Co., Deansgate, Manchester, where he was held in high esteem. Much sympathy is expressed by a wide circle of friends with his parents and family in their grief.