Ystalyfera Fallen

Daniel John Austin appears on both the Ystalyfera War Memorial and on the Ystradgynlais War Memorial.

This is the memorial page for Daniel John Austin, native of Ystalyfera, killed during the First World War.

The information on Daniel John Austin comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 17th June 1916 :-

KILLED IN ACTION
Official intimation was received from the War Office on Monday that Private Daniel Austin, of the South Wales Borderers, had been killed in action. Private Austin, who, prior to the war, resided at Glanrhyd, leaves a widow and some small children, with whom much sympathy is felt.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 24th June 1916 :-

HOW PRIVATE DAN AUSTIN DIED
In our last issue we announced the death in action of Pte. Dan Austin of Glanrhyd, Ystradgynlais. The following letters from his commanding officers to his widow give particulars of his death and contain growing tributes to the deceased soldier's conspicuous bravery.

  8. 6. 1916
Dear Mrs. Austin,
I am writing to you in great sorrow about your husband who was killed in action on the 5th of this month.
I knew him and his worth better perhaps than any other officer and say at once that I shall never find his equal for the work he used to do with me. Time and again he has distinguished himself by his coolness and steadiness under trying conditions, when it was essentially needed, and above all he was absolutely brave and fearless. He was the man whom I always took with me when we had to creep right up to the German wire and he never failed me. On the night before he died he had done magnificently in a raid into the German trenches, having even to tear himself with the officers through 4 ft of solid barbed wire and after it was over still staying out to carry in a dead comrade. His death was as noble as his life. He was hit very badly when out with me on the following night searching for Lieutenant Corker and his mate was hit beside him. Though in pain he forced himself to keep quiet and so enabled us to reserve both himself and his wounded mate. The last words I heard him say were: "Stick it Welsh". All in the battalion recognised him as the outstanding man in it, and I cannot tell you how deeply we all feel his loss. I am sure when you have recovered from the immediate sorrow, you will always find consolation in the few words I have sincerely written.
Yours very truly
T S Strange
Lt.14th Welsh.

WON THE D.C.M.
The following is from Lieut.Col. J. H. Hayes, commanding the 14th Welsh (Swansea Battalion) in which he says that Pte. Dan Austin was the "Bravest and best man in the battalion --- and had he lived he would have been awarded the D.C.M."


Dear Mrs. Austin,
You will have heard by now that your husband was killed in action on the night of the 5th inst.
He was the bravest and best man in the Battalion and will be mourned by all the officers and men who knew him. His memory will ever be cherished_ he was the perfect type of a soldier and a Man. He died a noble death. Had he lived, he would have been rewarded with the Distinguished Conduct Medal. You gave your best for your country and it was very good.
Yours sincerely,
J.H.Hayes Lt. Col.,
Commanding 14th Welsh Regt.

REF: SWANSEA PALS Book by BERNARD LEWIS
LISTED UNDER 14th (Service) Battalion THE WELSH REGIMENT Next of kin of men proceeding overseas December 1915 -
Sailed for France December 1915. He was hit by a burst of machine gun fire while searching for Lieutenant Corker in No Mans Land. Lieutenant Strange remarked that his death was as noble as his life. He was hit very badly when out with me... though in pain he forced himself to keep quiet, and so enabled us to rescue both himself and his wounded mate.