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Difference between revisions of "Reuben Leeuwin Cousens"

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| image          = [[File:Cousens_Reuben_Leeuwin_1.jpg|border|400px]]
 
| image          = [[File:Cousens_Reuben_Leeuwin_1.jpg|border|400px]]
 
| caption        = Sunday Times 3 Dec 1916 page 6.
 
| caption        = Sunday Times 3 Dec 1916 page 6.
| image2          =
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| image2          = [[File:Cousens_Reuben_Leeuwin_2.jpg]]
| caption2        =
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| caption2        = King's Park Memorial walk, May drive
| dateofbirth   = not known
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| dateofbirth   = c1898
 
| placeofbirth   = Karridale, Western Australia
 
| placeofbirth   = Karridale, Western Australia
 
| death           = 8 Jan 1917
 
| death           = 8 Jan 1917

Revision as of 01:26, 1 June 2020

Reuben Leeuwin Cousens
Cousens Reuben Leeuwin 1.jpg
Sunday Times 3 Dec 1916 page 6.
Cousens Reuben Leeuwin 2.jpg
King's Park Memorial walk, May drive
Personal Information
Date of Birth c1898
Place of Birth Karridale, Western Australia
Death 8 Jan 1917
Place of Death Mametz, France
Age at Enlistment 18 years, 10 months
Description 5'3½" (1.61m) tall ; 145 lbs
65.771 kg
; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; dark brown hair
Occupation Fireman
Religion Church of England
Address Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin Father , Mr William Edward Cousens
Military Information
Reg Number 4996
Date of Enlistment 8 Mar 1916
Rank Private
Unit/Formation 28th Battalion, 13th Reinforcements / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division
Date of Embarkation 18 Jul 1916 ‒ 9 Sep 1916
Ship Embarked On HMAT A48 Seang Bee
Fate Killed in Action 8 Jan 1917
Monument Jarrahdale War Memorial
Byford ANZAC Memorial Park
Villers-Bretonneux Memorial
Jarrahdale Honour Roll
Australian War Memorial
Medals British War Medal
Victory Medal



Pre War

War Service

A month after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Reuben was allocated to the 13th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. On arrival in England Reuben was sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone to complete his war preparedness training. Following a very brief period of training he proceeded overseas to Étaples in France from Folkestone on 2 Nov 1916 aboard HMT Victoria.

Admitted to the 2nd Division's Base Depot, on 13 Nov 1916 he was sent to join the 28th Battalion, which he did on 18 Nov 1916. The battalion had just been replaced in the line by the 18th Battalion amidst a light fall of snow , followed by rain. The battalion then moved back to the Fricourt Camp before finding billets at Bieure.

On the day Reuben was killed, the 28th Battalion's War Diary simply records "Bn moved to DELVILLE WOOD". The following day they relieved the 19th Battalion in support trenches south east of Guidecourt, so it is likely that his death was caused by German artillery targeting rear and support areas.

COUSENS.-- On January 8, 1917. Killed in action in France, Private Reuben L. Cousens, aged 19 years and 9 months, dearly beloved sixth son of W. E. and M.E. Cousens, of Jarrahdale, beloved brother of Privates Will, Bert, Martin (now in action), Mary, Bob, Jeff,

Jim, Dorrie.

Beloved by all.[1]
  • Section of 28th Battalion panel at Villers-Bretonneux - photo Linton Reynolds
  • Linton Reynolds photo 2015


Notes

  1. The West Australian 26 Jan 1917 page 1

External Links