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Austin Hines (1887-1915)


Solicitor from Boldon served as lieutenant with 10th DLI


Austin was the eighth child of nine born to Thomas and Elizabeth Hines. At the 1891 census the family were living in Sunderland at 3 Thornhill Gardens. Thomas is recorded as being an “attorney at law – solicitor”.

Like his brothers, Austin attended Ampleforth College in Yorkshire. According to his obituary in the college journal (see supporting materials below), Austin was a quiet boy who attended the school between 1900 and 1903. Although he was head boy of his form while at the school the journal claims that his mind was of a “practical bent”.

On leaving the school Austin seems to have followed his father and his older brother, Charles William, into the law, becoming a solicitor with the family firm, Hines and Son. On the 1911 census, he was living with his family in Boldon and is recording as being a law student.

On the outbreak of war, Austin joined up with the 28th London Regiment, which was known as the “Artists Rifles”. He disembarked in France with this regiment on 11 August 1915. He was then commissioned with 10th Durham Light Infantry (DLI) on 27 November 1915. He was given a short period of home leave and returned to the front as an officer on 2 December.

Less than two weeks later the 10th DLI war diary recorded that the battalion were in the area around St Jean:

14 December 1915
Were heavily shelled in front trenches from 1:10pm to 3:45pm. Aeroplanes very active….1 officer killed 2nd/Lt Hines.

According to his entry in the probate calendars, Austin died at 10th Casualty Clearing Station. The obituary and an article by his brother, Arthur, detail some of the horrific injuries that Austin suffered and the immense pain that he must have endured before he died. (See supporting material, below)

Civil Parish: Boldon

Birth date: 1887

Death date: 15-Dec-1915

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 3 Thornhill Gardens, Sunderland (1891 census)
Ampleforth Abbey and College, Yorkshire (1901 census)
“Warriston”, Station Road, East Boldon (1911 census)

Education: Ampleforth College (1901 census)

Religion: Roman Catholic

Employment: Law student (1911 census)
Employed with Sunderland Forge and Engineering Works at Pallion (McGregor index card, DCRO)

Family: Parents: Thomas Hines, Elizabeth Hines
Siblings: Francis (Frank) Hines, Constance Mary Hines, Oswald Hines, Charles Hines, Gerald Hines (1911 census), Arthur Hines, Mildred Hines, Valerie Hines (1901 census)

Military service:

28th London Regiment (Artists Rifles)
Disembarked France: 11 August 1915
Commissioned Temporary Second Lieutenant: 27 November 1915
10th Durham Light Infantry

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

Memorial(s): Lijssenhoek Military Cemetery, Belgium
Front Street, East Boldon, cross
Saint Nicholas Church, West Boldon, plaque
Sunderland Incorporated Law Society, Sunderland Club, Toward Road, Sunderland, plaque (now in private hands)
Holy Trinity, Church Street East, Sunderland, book of remembrance (now at The Donnison School and Education Centre, Church Walk, Sunderland)
Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Bridge Street, Sunderland, calvary and plaque

Gender: Male

Contributed by Durham County Record Office