Austin enlisted on 13th February 1912. He was 18 years old and a Casual Labourer by trade. He entered the war in France on 19th August 1914, as part of the Regimental Medical Officer's team for the 39th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He returned to the UK on 1st May 1915, then was posted to Malta on 14th August 1915. He was appointed acting Serjeant on 14th June 1916, retaining the rank on 28th April 1917 after joining No 1 Coy in Malta. On 3rd July 1917 he was posted to serve with the British Salonika Force. On 12th April 1918 he was appointed the rank of acting Corporal - he was serving with No 61 General Hospital at the time. On 17th April 1918, at his own request, his rank reverted back to his permanent rank of Private - he appeared to be serving with No 81 Geneal Hospital at the time. He left the British Salonika Force on 1st January 1919. He was transferred to Section "B" Army Reserve on demobilization on 6th May 1919.