Charles Austin

The Stage, 20 January 1944, published Austin's obituary: ‘A host of friends will mourn the loss of Charles Austin, who died in University College Hospital on Friday last [14 January 1944] after a long illness, most cheerfully borne. There can hardly have been a more popular man, and it might be truly said of him that he had no enemies. Genial, generous, and upright in character, he was an unassuming person, always ready to help his less fortunate fellows. Much sympathy will be accorded to his wife, Ruby [Norton], who appeared with him in many of his sketches. Though known principally to the public for his famous “Parker” playlets, he could be a fine actor when occasion arose ... His “Parker” sketches ran for years, beginning with “Parker P.C.” and followed by “Parker’s Progress,” “Parker on the Panel,” and others, all effectively designed for merriment ... Born in the East End of London - his real name was Charles Reynolds - he was in a lawyer’s office for a time, but was sacked for imitating his “boss,” and made his debut on the halls in 1890 at Sebrights’, Hackney-road, as one of a couple - Lytton and Austin - known as “The Stage-Struck Waifs.” He subsequently appeared as a comic vocalist. He used to say it was because he had bought a comic song for seven-and-six-pence, the equivalent of his first weekly salary, and did not wish to waste the money. By a happy chance he saw a “To Let” sign on a disused police-station and this gave him the idea of “Parker P.C.,” in which he should run a station of his own on eccentric lines. He promptly organised a sketch company and thereafter never looked back ...'.