Charles William Albert Austin
Charles Austin - son of James John Austin and Monica Kelly - was born at Westminster, London, in 1877 and christened at St. Martin's in the Fields parish church, 22nd April, 1877.
In the 1901 Census of England he is listed as born at St. Giles, London and residing then in the Civil Parish of Poplar (London) - occupation: 'engineer's labourer.'
Charles Austin was married in the Parish Church of Northfleet, Kent on the 26th of February - to Florence Amelia Dartnell
(Florence's Birth Certificate: born 26th of March, 1878, at Victoria St., Station Road, Frindscbury - "a girl, Florence Amelia, father Geo. Henry Edward Dartnell). She was the 4th of 10 children. Her father George Henry Edward Dartnell was an 'engine driver on the works' or 'on Steamboat). Her mother was the former Elizabeth Hetterley. Florence's paternal grandparents were Nathaniel Robert Dartnell and Hannah Sarah Plumer.
The Marriage Certificate of Charles and Florence indicates that when they were married Florence Amelia Dartnell, 20, was a 'spinster' and that Charles William Albert Austin, 22, was a bachelor, occupation 'Cook to Florence Amelia Dartnell.' His residence at the time of the marriage was 421 Strattond Road, Poplar, Kent. His father's name is given: 'James John Austin.' Florence's residence is listed as 22 College Street, Northfleet. Her father's name is given: 'Geo. Henry Edward Dartnell, 'engine driver.'
Charles Austin apparently deserted his wife - and their young family - on several occasions and was imprisoned at one time for desertion. His wife Florence was granted a separation order and custody of their three (possibly four) children and he was ordered to pay her 8/ a week. But he paid nothing and stole away. (Her rent in 1907 was 3/ a week.)
In related Barnardo documents, Charles was described by his father, James John Austin, as 'a bad fellow' who had stolen 20 pounds of 'club money' from him two years previous (ie. 1905) - and then 'decamped.' He had not seen him since.
After attempting to raise the children, Florence found that she could not and two of them - Charles and Daisy - were placed with the Barnardo Homes (an adoption and settlement agency). Subsequently, these two older children were sent to Canada and raised as 'Barnardo children.' Florence died after 1899.
Charles later visited his sister, Lilian, in Burlington, Ontario. This was at a time he was trying to visit his son, Charles, now a Barnardo child on a farm at Courtland, Ontario (near Tilsonburg). Officials would not allow him to visit his son at this time (because of his earlier record of abandonment of his family). This fact was not known to the descendants of Lilian (till 2003).
The children of Charles William Albert Austin and Florence Amelia Dartnell were:
1. Charles William Alfred Austin - born 26 July, 1899, Poplar, Kent (Greater London), England - married Ida Eleanor Lovell - Brantford, 21 September, 1921.
2. Daisy Edith Austin - born 2 February, 1904; - married Joseph Peacock; Issue: Charles and Winston
3. Albert Edward Austin - born ca 1905; he stayed with his mother when the two older children were taken into Barnardo care. He was 15 months old in 1907.
4. Unknown Austin - Florence asked Barnardo's if they could take two more - and herself, indicating this other or fourth child.
