Story:
Austin Frederick Stainer was born in Cann, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 8th July 1891, the son of Gideon Stainer and Emily Stainer (née Sims).  Apart from his Military Service and in later retirement, he lived all his life in the Shaftesbury area. He had enlisted in the Royal Navy on 5th December 1911 but only served until 5th September 1912 when he was discharged due to his health.  He then re-enlisted in the war and joined The King's (Liverpool) Regiment (Service No. 89253). He later transferred to 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Service No. 14375).  During this time he was promoted to Lance Corporal and served in France and Flanders from 5 Sep 1915.  On his discharge he was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1915 Star.   The 1921 Census record is missing on-line but the Electoral Register of that year shows him living back at Bozley Hill, Cann, Shaftesbury, with his widowed father. He married Elsie Kathleen Goodfellow in the Tisbury, Wiltshire, Registration District in 1924.  They went on to have two children.    By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at 50 High Street, Shaftesbury, Dorset, and was described as a Baker and Confectioner.    He was living at 8 Birds Hill Road, Poole, Dorset, in retirement when he died on 8th June 1976 and later buried in Parkstone Cemetery, Parkstone, Dorset.  His brothers, Ernest Stainer, Francis Hubert Stainer, William Edgar Stainer and Harry Gilbert Stainer, all served during the conflict.