Name
Harry Samuel Coulson
18 May 1890
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/05/1915
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
9903
London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
1st/5th (City of London) Bn.
No. 2 Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 52 and 54
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Welwyn Village Memorial,
St Mary the Virgin Roll of Honour, Welwyn,
Royal Masonic School Memorial, Rickmansworth,
Old Masonians Cross, Rickmansworth,
Hertford Grammar School Memorial, Hertford
Pre War
Harry Samuel was born in Newport Pagnell, Bucks on the 18 May 1890, the fourth son of Thomas James and Caroline (nee Smith) Coulson, who were grocers there.
Shortly after his birth, the family moved to a larger shop in Hertford, but unfortunately in 1899 Thomas died. Caroline reduced her business and moved to High Street, Welwyn, where she set up a successful grocer and bakery business. Harry’s elder brother John Hardy also set up business as a tailor near to his mother's shop. Harry was living in Wood Green, Middlesex in 1891. Harry Samuel was educated at Hertford Grammar School and the Royal Masonic School, Bushey, from 1900 to 1907, where he had a distinguished record. He became a cashier at the Alliance Assurance Company and was working for then as an assurance clerk in 1911.
Harry was Private 5026 in the Honourable Artillery Company from Dec 1908 to Jul 1910.
Wartime Service
Harry enlisted in London on 6 August 1914 almost immediately after war was declared, and joined the 5th Battalion, London Rifle Brigade.
He was promoted to Corporal during training and entered France on 4 November 1914. He was killed in action on 13 May 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres shortly after his promotion to Sergeant.
He was originally buried near the Wieltje Road, St Julien, Ypres but his remains were not recovered. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His mother Caroline was awarded a war gratuity of £6 and his pay owing of £7 19s 5d. Probate was granted in July 1.
Harry is also commemorated on the grave of his younger brother, Harold Casswell Coulson, who died in 1915 and was buried in Welwyn Cemetery:
ALSO OF HARRY SAMUEL COULSON, [SERGT. L.R.B.] KILLED IN ACTION IN THE SECOND BATTLE OF YPRES. MAY 13TH 1915. AGED 24 YEARS.
HOWSO’ER THE BATTLE WENT FOR HIM T’WAS VICTORY THAT DAY.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Paul Jiggens, Welwyn and District History Society - www.welwynww1.co.uk Malcolm Lennox, Old Masonians Association, Brenda Palmer
