Regimental number | 3798 |
Place of birth | Terrick Terrick Victoria |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Occupation | Blacksmith |
Address | 196 Nicholson Street, Abbotsford, Victoria |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 19 |
Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Mary Jane Couch, 196 Nicholson Street, Abbotsford, Victoria |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 24th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/41/3 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A69 Warilda on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 6th Australian Light Trench Mortar Battery |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal For distinguished service and gallantry in action near Bullecourt, when he continued to serve his mortar throughout the day and night until relieved at dawn. Recommendation date: |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal 'The above men [COUCH, 970 W. PARSONS, 844 R.C. LAING, 1981 G. NELSON, 4470 D. McQUEEN, 4509 R.G. McSHANE, 1797 W.R. FOWLER] distinguished themselves in action in the captured trenches near BULLECOURT on 3rd May 1917, by the gallantry and determination with which they continued to serve their mortars throughout the day and night until relieved at dawn on the 5th. On no occasion was a request for fire not complied with, though the battery suffered severe losses (over half its numbers). No chance of observing fire or getting targets was thrown away and the casualties the Battery inflicted on the enemy were certainly very heavy. On one occasion a hostile party was barraged first in front, then in rear, and when brought to halt blown out without a survivor. In this the above N.C.O.s and men played a prominent part.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 189 Date: |
Family/military connections | Brother: 844 Pte Ambrose William COUCH, 38th Bn, returned to Australia, 30 April 1919. |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Date of death | |
Place of burial | Fawkner Cemetery |