Austen John Gittos (13 November 1923 – 7 December 1986) was a New Zealand fencer who won a silver medal at the 1950 British Empire Games.

Biography

Born at Onehunga on 13 November 1923, Gittos was the son of Benjamin Frank Gittos and Gladys Victoria Gittos (née Sayers), and the younger brother of Murray Gittos. He married Shirley May Hill, and the couple had two children.

Austen Gittos

He won the silver medal alongside Charles Dearing, Nathaniel Millar, and his brother Murray Gittos, as part of the men's foil team at the 1950 British Empire Games. He placed fourth in the men's individual foil. At the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games he competed in the men's individual épée, foil, and sabre, placing seventh in the foil.

Austen Gittos

Gittos died on 7 December 1986, and his ashes were buried at Purewa Cemetery, Auckland. His wife, Shirley, died on 12 February 2022.

Austen Gittos

References

1923 births

1986 deaths

Sportspeople from Auckland

New Zealand male épée fencers

Fencers at the 1950 British Empire Games

Fencers at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games silver medallists for New Zealand

Commonwealth Games medallists in fencing

Burials at Purewa Cemetery

New Zealand male sabre fencers

New Zealand male foil fencers

Medallists at the 1950 British Empire Games