Couin New 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.
The two CWGC Cemeteries side by side
The British Cemetery to the left and the New Cemetery to the right
Serjeant Richard Travis VC DCM MM
(Real Name : Dickson Savage)
2nd Bn Otago Regiment
NZEF
Died on 25th July 1918 aged 34
Son of the late James and Frances Savage, of Otara, Opotiki, New Zealand
Known as Prince of Scouts, and King of No Man's Land
Also served in Egypt and Gallipoli
Awarded Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
London Gazette dated 27th September 1918
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty. During surprise operations it was necessary to destroy an impassable wire block. Serjeant Travis, regardless of personal danger, volunteered for this duty. Before zero hour, in broad daylight and in close proximity to enemy posts he crawled out and successfully destroyed the block with bombs, thus enabling the attacking parties to pass through. A few minutes later a bombing party on the right of the attack was held up by two enemy machine guns, and the success of the whole operation was in danger.
Perceiving this Serjeant Travis with great galantry and utter disregard of danger, rushed the position, killed the crews and captured the guns. An enemy officer and three men immediately rushed at him from a bend in the trench and attempted to retake the guns. These four he killed single handed, thus allowing the bombing party on which much depended to advance.
The success of the operation was almost entirely due to the heroic work of this gallant N.C.O. and the vigour with which he made and used opportunities for inflicting casualties on the enemy. He was killed 24 hours later when, in a most intense bombardment prior to an enemy counter-attack, he was going from post to post encouraging the men.
The D.C.M. was awarded "For conspicuous gallantry in action. He went out by himself and accounted for several enemy snipers who were firing at a working party. He has on many previous occasions done very fine work."
He was killed near Rossignol Wood just on the other side of Gommecourt a fifteen minute drive from here.
Grave: G 5
Lieutenant John Adams
1st Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers
Died on 27th February 1917 aged 26
Son of Harold and Georgina Adams, of St John's, Oakwood Avenue, Beckenham, Kent
Grave: B 3
Couin 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