Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Bombardier Augustus passed through Peterborough East Station on 31 May 1917 on his way to or from Brooke near Norwich where he was based with the Royal Field Artillery (RFA).

He wrote in the visitors’ book “Never trouble trouble, till trouble troubles you, & always avail yourself of the help, & rest, That the Peterborough offers you. With many thanks for the kindness shown towards the boys during our short stay”

We believe him to be David Thomas Augustus who was born in Swansea in 1896.  His parents Thomas, a ship rigger, and Ann had a family of five and unusually, four of them were baptised together at St Thomas’ Church in Swansea on 30 July 1902; James Robert (10), David Thomas (6), William John (4) and Alice (1).

David went to school at St Thomas’ Council School for Boys, joining in 1900.  Our next trace of him is enlisting in the Army on 07 December 1915.  He was discharged on medical grounds (reason unknown) on 01 December 1917.  We know from his Silver War Badge record that he was in France with the RFA at the time.  By coincidence, his older brother James Robert also served overseas with the RFA and he too was medically discharged, receiving his Silver War Badge in July 1920.  David was also awarded the British War and Allied Victory medals.

Returning to Swansea, David married Mary J Hancock in 1931 and by 1939 the couple had two children, Audrey (1932) and Noel (1935).  They were living at 104 Danygraig Road, Swansea, not far from his widowed mother who was living with her three remaining unmarried children at 1 & 2 Fabian Court.  He was working as a wharf labourer tally clerk, the same as his younger brother William.

David stayed in Swansea until his death in 1953 aged 57.

Please get in touch if you can you tell us more about David Augustus.