Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Acting Serjeant S. Austen, 1st, late 6th South African Infantry

1914-15 Star (Pte., 6th Infantry); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (A/Sjt., 1st S.A.I.) very fine (3) £60-80

Sidney Austen was born in Woolwich, England. A Journalist by occupation, he served with the Capetown Highlanders in the German West African Campaign, having previously served in the Middlesex Rifle Volunteers. After being discharged from the Capetown Highlanders, he attested for the South African Expeditionary Forces at Capetown on 17 July 1917, aged 37 years. With the 1st South African Infantry he served in France, February-April 1918. Listed as ‘Missing’ on 24 March 1918 Austen was invalided to England in April 1918 due to sickness. Returning to South Africa he was discharged in May 1919.

With copied service papers.