Arthur James Cousin

[watchdog]

This is one of more than twenty requests for information and help that I am hoping to post today. They are all in relation to TF soldiers who enlisted on or about the 5 August 1914 and almost all of whom survived the war. The common denominator is the fact that they were all patent examiners serving in the Patent Office prior to the outbreak of war.

Normally I would be able to pursue most of the basic work myself and would only be coming to all of you for help with the 'extras' but I am under some pressure of time. I hope you don't mind. But then again it's the sort of thing almost all of us enjoy – finding out about these men who fought in the Great War. So I'm hoping that you will appreciate the challenge.

The work is in support of my dissertation for the Birmingham MA in First World War studies and therefore if any of you do have information which might assist me I would be grateful if you could also quote the source of that information.

I'm not acting entirely blind of course and here is the information that I've already found out about Arthur James Cousin:

Cousin attended the Swindon Technical College before joining the Patent Office in March 1904. He appears to have been a pre-war territorial with the East Anglian RGA (TF) - Heavy Bty and enlisted with them as a Lt on or about 5 Aug 1914. By January 1916 he is shown as a Captain with 2nd East Anglian Bde RFA (TF) and later in 1916 he has transferred to 4th Anti Aircraft Mobile Bde RFA. In 1918 he is a Major serving with 52nd Anti Aircraft Coy. At some stage he appears to have served at Dover Castle.

The sorts of information I'm hoping to glean are: Did Cousin ever serve overseas? Any 1911 Census details? And of course anything else that might occur to all of you.

Thanks

[Verrico2009]

This MIC has no 14/15 Star but is possibly your man: Lieutenant and Captain with the RGA and Lt. Col with the RA. So presumably served abroad post 1 January 1916. Medals sent to an address in Godalming, if it helps.

Name: A J Cousin

Regiment or Corps: RGA (Territorial), RA (TA Res)

[watchdog]

It does help. I'm intrigued by the reference to Lt Col RA (TA Res) which suggests he continued his territorial service after the war.

Dudley

[Verrico2009]

I think the MICs are limited to service in WW1 (basically what they say they are - for medal entitlement). Which is not to say he didn't continue his association beyond but just can't be stated for certain on this evidence.

[bts1970]

Cousin

3 brothers who all held commission.

AJ, Major 3rd East anglian RFA, previously in RNVR.

DP, 2Nf lt 2nd East anglian RGA, previously with 5th Wilts

FJ, 2nd Lt 2nd east anglian RGA.

Father left swindon to Tunbridge wells.

Details from "Tell them of us"

Bob