Name
John Edward Couldrey
1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/08/1918
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
9072
The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN
Q.4.F.8.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Knebworth Village Memorial, Knebworth (Old), St Martin's Church Memorial, Knebworth (New), St Martin's Church Framed Memorial Knebworth (New), The British Legion -Knebworth & District Branch ROH, St Martin Church, Knebworth (New), St Mary & St Thomas Church Memorial, Knebworth Park, Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Alban
Pre War
John Edward Couldrey was born in 1887 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, the son and youngest child of George and Emma Couldrey.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at Elephant's Head public house, Sevenoaks, Kent. where his father was the 'beer retailer'. By 1901 his father had become the publican of the Prince of Wales public house in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. At that time 13 year old John was the only child living with his parents.
He joined the army and was recorded on the 1911 Census as serving with the 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in Poona, India. Meanwhile, his parents were living with their son George, his wife and children, at 4 Gun Road, Knebworth, Herts.
He married Winifred Barker on 15 February 1918 at St Michael's Church, Pimlico, London. He was then said to be living at Park Hill Camp, Oswestry and gave his occupation as 'soldier'.
Wartime Service
John had been serving in the Army for twelve years at the outbreak of the war and was in India at the time. He was then posted to East Africa where he was wounded three times. At some point he was promoted from Private to Corporal.
After being married for only seven months he was posted to France in May 1918. He was wounded on 3 August 1918 and died of his wounds on the 11th, aged 31. He is buried in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.
Additional Information
His widow received a war gratuity of £24 10s and pay owing of £19 8s 5d. She also received a pension of 15 shillings a week and later lived at 19 Portland Court, London, W.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Paul Johnson
