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Austin Leo Shields (1888-1917)


Sunderland fitter served as a chief engine-room artificer in the Royal Naval Reserve


Austin Leo Shields was born on 10 January 1888 and baptised on 5 February 1888 in Sunderland. His father was colliery traffic manager Thomas Shields (1861-1916) from Framwellgate. His mother was Ann Shields nee Swinburne (1863-1941) from Thornley. His parents married around 1882 in Easington and had eight children made up of five girls and three boys. At the time of the 1891 census the family lived at 35 Addison Street East, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland. By the time of the 1901 census they had moved to 12 Double Junction Row, Cramlington Low Colliery, Northumberland. At the 1911 census Austin was recorded as a boarder living at 45 Hadrian Road, Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and working as a colliery engine fitter.

Austin was a member of the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR). He served as a chief engine-room artificer with the service number 1470/EA. He served on HMS Redbreast during the war. Redbreast was a requisitioned passenger and cargo ship used by the Royal Navy as a messenger ship and anti-submarine Q-ship or armed decoy ship. She was torpedoed in the Aegean Sea by German submarine UC-38 on 15 July 1917 while on passage from Skyros to the Doro Channel. Austin was one of 42 crew lost when the vessel sank. His body was not recovered for burial and he is honoured on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Austin Leo Shields was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Civil Parish: Bishopwearmouth Without

Birth date: 10-Jan-1888

Death date: 15-Jul-1917

Armed force/civilian: Navy

Residence: 35 Addison Street East, Bishopwearmouth, Sunderland (1891 census)
12 Double Junction Row, Cramlington Low Colliery, Northumberland (1901 census)
45 Hadrian Road, Wallsend, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland (1911 census)

Employment: Colliery engine fitter (1911 census)

Family: Parents: Thomas Shields (1861-1916), Ann Shields nee Swinburne (1863-1941)
Siblings: Mary Gertrude Shields (b 1884), Norah Isabella Shields (b 1886), Robert Martin Shields (b 1894), Nancy Shields (b 1897), Anna Shields (b 1898), Theresa Shields (b 1901), Hugh Shields (b 1905)

Military service:

Royal Naval Reserve
Chief engine-room artificer
Service Number 1470/EA
HMS Redbreast

Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Chatham Naval Memorial

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham

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