Remembering Today Casualty Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) AUSTIN, FREDERICK Service Number 39627 Died 17/03/1941 Royal Air Force Buried at CLEVEDON (ST. ANDREW) CHURCHYARD Location: Somerset, United Kingdom Number of casualties: 13 Cemetery/memorial reference: N.E. part. Grave 803. Lieut Frederick Austin (Unknown-1941) - Find A...
From "Men of the Battle of Britain - A Biographical Dictionary of The Few" by Kenneth G. Wynn Austin joined the RAF on a short service commission. He began as a pupil pilot on March 1 1937. He completed his ab initio course and was commissioned at No. 1 RAF Depot, Uxbridge on May 3. On May 8 he was posted to No. 3 FTS, South Cerney and after passing out from the advanced training section of the course, he joined No. 3 Squadron at Kenley on November 27 1937. Austin went to CFS, Upavon on August 7 1938 for a course, after which he was posted to No. 2 FTS, Brize Norton, as an instructor. He was on the HQ Staff at RAF Martlesham Heath by June 1940. On July 27 he was appointed Officer i/c Parachute Section there and he relinquished this post on August 14 and joined No. 46 Squadron at Digby the next day. On September 9 Austin was appointed temporary "B" Flight commander when F/Lt NW Burnett was hospitalised. He led the flight on sorties until October 30 when Burnett resumed flying duties. Austin was posted away from No. 46 Squadron on December 13 1940 to No. 8 FTS, Montrose, as an instructor. On March 17 1941 Austin was killed in a training accident off the Isle of Man, serving as a F/Lt at No. 5 Bombing and Gunnery School, Manby. He is buried in St. Andrew Churchyard, Clevedon, Somerset. APO 3 May 1937 PO 1 March 1938 FO 1 November 1939 F/Lt 1 November 1940
