W H Austen

From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group

When Colonel Stephens died in October 1931, his 'first asistant' W.H. Austen inherited the 'empire' of independent railways that Stephens had managed from his Tonbridge office. However, Austen did not become Chairman of the FR & WHR as Stephens had been, but only Engineer and Locomotive Superintendent, and he was not invited onto the Board. Evan R. Davies became Chairman, and the relationship between the two gradually deteriorated. When Davies advised Austen he was reducing staff, Austen resigned in September 1936, and the Tonbridge influence on the FR ceased.