Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Henry Owen Stapleton Randall, a carpenter, born in the 2nd quarter of 1863 in Kelmarsh, Northamptonshire and his wife Sophia Randall (nee Smith, married in the 2nd quarter of 1884 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), born in the 4th quarter of 1863 in Smeeton Westerby, Leicestershire. Henry Austin was born in the 2nd quarter of 1890 in Kibworth, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Arthur Owens, a schoolboy, born in the 4th quarter of 1884 and Harriett Adelaide M., born in the 2nd quarter of 1888, the latter two siblings were both born in Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Smeeton Road, Stonton Wyville, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Austin was residing in the family home at 19, Goward Street, Great Bowden, Leicestershire, together with his father, a carpenter, his mother and siblings, Arthur a hosiery trade machinist, Harriett, Kate Emma, born in the 1st quarter of 1894 in Northamptonshire and Roscoe Harry, born in the 4th quarter of 1897 in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Austin was absent from the family home at 24, Heygate Street, Great Bowden, residing there was his father, a carpenter, his mother and siblings, Kate, a corset trade machinist and Harry a corset trade worker, Austin was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment and was stationed at Floriana Barracks, Malta. He was registered at birth as Henry Austin Randall, however he appears to have adopted the use of his second Christian name and was always referred to as Austin.
Austin’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he was a regular soldier having enlisted prior to 1911 into the Northamptonshire Regiment, being allotted the service number 8734, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, in 1911 he was serving in Malta, stationed at Floriana Barracks, it has to be assumed that he was either still serving at the outbreak of war, or was mobilized as a Reservist and rejoined his Battalion, first entering the theatre of war in France on the 6th November 1914, he was killed in action on the 18th of November, having served for only 13 days on active service. He was awarded the 1914 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 18 Nov-14 – IN THE TRENCHES. We are being relieved by 2nd EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT tomorrow night. They have been in the trench on our left, having relieved the INDIAN Brigade, but had one night off in billets. Weather still bad. A Very Pistol firing ‘light’ cartridges was issued today and proved useful at night in quelling alarm due to imaginary attacks.
2nd Northamptonshire Regt.
APPENDIX IX.
Showing Casualties up to 30/11/14
also
State of the Battalion on that date.
CASUALTIES.
Other Ranks: Killed 18. Wounded 47. †
†Includes Lt. Col. C. S. Pritchard D.S.O.
Capt. C. A. Elston.
In Hospital.
All Ranks 250 (Approx).
including 4 Officers: Captain C. R. J. Mowatt, Lts. S. H. Beattie, W. G. M. Sparms, 2nd Lt. C. Z. de la P Beresford.
In nearly every case their admission was due to frost bite.
J. Power
Captain.
State of the Battalion.
Fighting Strength: 26 Officers. 714 Other Ranks. Total strength (including attached) 757.
Animals 57.
J. Power
Captain & Adjutant.
On Friday December 11th 1914 The Leicester Journal published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” ROLL OF HONOUR. – A letter received from Private H. Lord, of the 2nd Northampton’s, states that Private A. Randall and Private T. Phillips, both of the 2nd Northampton’s, and both Market Harborough men, have been killed in action.