Debrett - entered RE 1887, became Capt. 1897, Brevet Major 1899, Major 1905, Brevet Lt.-Col. 1911, Lt.-Col. 1914, Col 1915 and Hon. Brig-Gen. retired 1920. Served with Waziristan Expedition 1894-5, in Uganda 1897-98 (DSO) during operations in Persian Gulf 1909-10 and during WW1. Employed in BEA Protectorate 1891-2, and 1897-9, on survey duty in Egypt 1899-1901, and at Staff College Camberley 1903-4, was a DAQMG (Intelligence Branch) India 1907-11, and a General Officer, Staff Coll. Quetta 1913-14, appointed a General Staff Officer HQ India 1914, Comdt. of Cadet College Quetta 1915, and a Brig.-Gen. on Gen Staff 1915.

Austin - First met MacDonald in the NW Frontier in 1889 and admired him as a leader and engineer. .... MacDonald offered him a place on the Preliminary Survey for the Uganda Railway in 1891. ...... MacDonald selected him for the Juba expedition in 1897 and promoted him to Capt. Woodward's former position as second-in-command when the expedition was resumed in the middle of 1898. ..... Returned to England in 1899. ........ Appointed as commander of 2 expeditions sent to survey the unadministered boundary areas of the Sudan, Abyssinia and EA. The 2nd expedition nearly ended disastrously in the last stages of the journey across the foodless wastes between Lake Rudolph and Ravine. .... Returned to England in 1901 and took recuperative leave. Never returned to Africa. ..... Austin was pro MacDonald - fullest, most reliable and readable account of the crucial period of the mutiny. North - '…. The most irrepressible and cheerful companion I ever travelled with' (F.J. Jackson, 1930)

DSO - He served in Uganda in 1897-8, and commanded during the skirmish at Lubwas; repelled the attack at Kijembe; captured Kabagambi; was afterwards in command at Mruli. He was mentioned in Despatches by Lieut.-Colonel J.R.L. Macdonald; received the Brevet of Major 25 Jan 1899; 3rd Class Order Brilliant Star of Zanzibar; the Medal with two clasps and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette, 3 Oct 1899) - "Herbert Henry Austin, Capt. and Brevet Major, Royal Engineers. In recognition of services during the recent operations in Uganda and British Central Africa. The Insignia were presented by the Queen at Osborne 20 Aug 1900. He was engaged in operations in East African Protectorate, in direction of Lake Rudolf, 1898-99 (mentioned in Despatches). He conducted 2 survey expeditions, Western Borders of Abyssinia 4 Oct 1899 to 28 Nov 1900 (awarded CMG) …… {lots more}

Mills Railway - Macdonald's party comprised himself, Pringle, Lieutenants Austin and Twining and Sergeant Thomas as surveyors supported by 41 Indian survey assistants and draughtsmen, and 411 porters.