Austin was a family friend and lifelong bachelor. A former headmaster of St Mary's school in Littleborough and a local councillor also. Living Still is a well researched and entertainingly written account of St Mary's Parish in Littleborough through the years from the war up to the mid 1970's. Whilst appearing to only be of interest to locals and ex pats who lived in or around Littleborough in the period, the book is sufficiently well written and the illustrations / photos interesting enough to make this an significant historical document of a now bygone era.

Austin passed away in 1982 after a long illness he had only 1 living relative his cousin who was a catholic nun in Belgium.

Austin also composed Weighver's Seaport: Story of Hollingworth Lake & The Parish Church which is a history of Holy Trinity Church, Littleborough both are equally fascinating reads.

A J Glynn