Couin British
Location
Couin is a village 15 kilometres east of Doullens. Visitors should follow the main Doullens to Arras road, N25, as far as the crossroads with the D23. Follow the D23 to Souastre, then the D2 to Couin, as indicated by the CWGC sign. Couin British Cemetery and Couin New British Cemetery are at the side of the road just before entering the village.
Historical Information
Couin Château was used as a divisional headquarters from 1915 to 1918. The British Cemetery was begun in May 1916 by the field ambulances of the 48th (South Midland) Division, and was used by units and field ambulances during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
It was closed at the end of January 1917 because further extension was not possible, and now contains 401 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and three German graves.
The New British Cemetery was opened across the road and was used by field ambulances from January 1917 (with a long interval in 1917-18) to the end of the war. One grave was moved there after the Armistice from a cemetery at Coigneux. It now contains 360 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and two German war graves.
Both cemeteries were designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.
Private Thomas Gambles 12/375
12th Bn York and Lancaster Regiment
Died on 1st July 1916 aged 25
Died of wounds received in action on 28th June, 1916, whilst bringing in a wounded comrade from a raid on 28th June
The coolness and bravery of this soldier and other members of the raiding party were officially recognised
Son of Edward and Charlotte Gambles, of 58 Vincent Rd, Sharrow, Sheffield.
Also in memory of his
Brother Robert Wm. Age 24
Killed Cambrai 24th November 1917
Ever with us
Grave: I B 17
Unusually (if he was indeed killed at Cambrai)
Robert is commemorated on Panel 108
of the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium
Private 41410
2nd Bn King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Captain Basil Hallam Radford
No1 Army Kite Balloon Section
Royal Flying Corps
Died on 20th August 1916 aged 28
Son of Walter and A Radford, of 206 Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London
Actor, known to theatre goers as Basil Hallam or Gilbert the Filbert
Grave: II C 15
Lt Colonel Walter Stewart DSO MC
13th Bn Rifle Brigade
Died on 8th April 1918 aged 30
Son of General The Hon Alexander and Adela Stewart
Husband of Mollie Stewart, of 36 Lennox Gardens London, SW1
Grave: VI C 3
Brigadier General Walter Long CMG DSO
2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys)
Commanding 56th Infantry Brigade
Died on 28th January 1917 aged 37
Order of St Stanislas 2nd Class, with swords
Son of Rt Hon Walter Long, PC MP Secretary of State for the Colonies (afterwards 1st Viscount Long of Wraxall) and of Lady Dorothy Long (daughter of 9th Earl of Cork and Orrery)
Husband of Hon Mrs Walter Long, OBE (now Hon Mrs Ralph Glyn)
Grave: VI C 19
Lance Daffadar Rahmat Khan 2609
36th Jacob's Horse
Died on 6th November 1916
Grave: III C 9
Private William Chatfield 5/18013
13th Bn Royal Sussex Regiment
Died on 8th September 1916 aged 30
Brother of Mrs A Wickens, of 122 Framfield Rd, Uckfield, Sussex
Grave: III A 1
Private Charles Stone 15290
1st Bn Somerset Light Infantry
Died on 3rd July 1916 aged 23
Son of John and Eliza Stone, of Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, Dorset
His sun went down
While it was yet day
Grave: I D 3
Couin New British Cemetery
Couin Communal Cemetery
Within the village you will also find the Memorial to Animals. From the cemeteries continue into the village and turn left. Drive passed the Château and church and down the hill.
Memorial to Animals