Harold Ernest Coutie

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 28/07/2015 - 09:59

First Name:

Harold

Middle Name:

Ernest

Last Name:

Coutie

Mother's Name:

Dulcie (nee Shaw)

Father's Name:

Joseph Coutie

Date Enlisted:

Tuesday, February 8, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

30th Battalion

Company:

D Company

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Wednesday, October 10, 1917

Place of Death:

Polygon Wood

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

Harold Coutie (Service No 2613) was a keen soldier. He had enlisted on 26th April 1915 claiming to be 21 years old, but was discharged 34 days later after his mother contacted the Army requesting his discharge as he was under age.

He was born in Sydney, NSW about 1895 and attended Newtown High School. He had spent 4 years in 37th Infantry CMF. At the time of enlistment he was a single 21 year old labourer living at Port Kembla.

He embarked on HMAT A71 Nestor on 9th April 1916 with 5th Reinforcements, 30th Battalion.
On 26th September 1916 he joined 6 Section, 14 Platoon, D Company in France and saw service with them on the Western Front. Harold was at the Battle for Polygon Wood when he was killed in action on 10th October 1917. The Red Cross file evidence states while volunteering to be a stretcher bearer about 11:30pm in Polygon Wood he was carrying a wounded officer when he was hit by a shell and killed. He is buried in Buttes New British Cemetery, Plot XXX, Row A, Grave 3.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, COUTIE H