Francis Herbert Austen

Commander (retired) Francis Herbert Austen, O.B.E., R.N. (17 September, 1893 – 1971) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

The son of Colonel A. R. Austen, 1st Shropshire Light Infantry, Austen was a descendant of Francis William Austen, one of Jane Austen's "sailor brothers".

He served in Achilles from 6 February, 1914 to 20 January, 1915, when he was appointed to the destroyer Beagle.

Austen was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 July, 1915. He served in the light cruiser Royalist from 17 April to 12 November, 1916 and was present at the Battle of Jutland when the cruiser screened the battle fleet as part of the Fourth Light Cruiser Squadron. Later wartime appointments placed him in Jackal, Gabriel, and the battleship Neptune.

On 9 August, 1917, his request to be recommended for command of P boats was noted.

Austen was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 July, 1923.

Austen was placed on the Retired List at his own request at the rank of Commander on 5 October, 1936.

See Also

• Service Records
• Fourth L.C.S. (Royal Navy) at the Battle of Jutland

Bibliography

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Horace G. Gorton	Superintendent of Anti-Gas Training, Devonport 27 Jun, 1932 – 8 Dec, 1933	Succeeded by Richard A. Everitt
Preceded by Horace G. Gorton	Superintendent of Anti-Gas Training, Portsmouth 8 Dec, 1933 – 5 Oct, 1936	Succeeded by Cyril Y. C. Keays