Edward Harold Ausburn

Headstone

Private Edward Ausburn

54th Battalion AIF

Service Number: 4128

 

 

 

 

Born: 16 October 1893, Penrith, NSW

Died: 21 July 1916, Fromelles, France

Edward (Ted) Ausburn was born in Kingswood in 1893, the son of James and
Hannah Ausburn. As a 16 year old, his mother gave permission for him to join the
Royal Navy in 1909 for 5 years. Before the war, he worked as a cook at the officer’s
mess in Canberra. His father was a saddle and harness maker and the family lived in
Henry Street, and later Woodriff Street, Penrith.

Ausburn enlisted in September 1915 and was posted to the 13th Reinforcements,
2nd Battalion. He left Australia aboard the HMAT Aeneas on 20 December 1915
and arrived at Alexandria in January 1916. On 16 February 1916, the reorganization
of the AIF saw the 2nd Battalion divided into two units. Ausburn was allocated to
54th Battalion.

On 19 June 1916, he was sent to the Western Front and disembarked at Marseilles
on 29 June. The 54th Battalion fought its first major battle on the Western Front as
part of the initial assault at Fromelles on 19 July. It suffered a casualty rate of almost
65 percent. Ausburn was killed in action between 19-21 July 1916. He was buried at
Eaton Hall Cemetery by Reverend James Green and later re-interred in Rue-Petillion
Military Cemetery.

On 3 September 1916 a memorial service was held in the open-air picture theatre in
High Street where Ausburn was described ‘as a fine young man of the very highest
character’. Hunt stated ‘It was very clear to anyone that he was held in very high
esteem and we thank God for his life and example’. By 1920, his parents were living
in Archibald Street Granville. Ted’s brother Albert Charles served in Carmichael’s
36th Battalion, was twice wounded and gassed, and returned to Australia in 1918.

Memorial Details:

  • Rue-Petillion Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France
  • Honor Roll, Memory Park, Penrith
  • Honor Roll, Penrith Superior Public School

Sources:

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