Bob Coulson Posted 4 June , 2003 Share Posted 4 June , 2003 Have recently read an account of this officer namesake of mine being killed during the second gas attack at St Julien around 26-27 April 1915. He was with the the 8th DLI. Can find no mention of him on Officers Died or CWGC. Would really like to find some info, especially where he is buried/commemerated. Any help/ideas would be gratefully recieved. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jock Bruce Posted 4 June , 2003 Share Posted 4 June , 2003 Bob, there are files for three officers named W Coulson in the WO339 series at Kew - I'll have look over the next couple of days and post back here on Sunday. Jock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coulson Posted 4 June , 2003 Author Share Posted 4 June , 2003 Jock, That would be great, I would really like to track him down. First time I have come across a man not on CWGC or Soldiers Died and he has my surname.!! Look forward to your post. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Denham Posted 4 June , 2003 Share Posted 4 June , 2003 Bob I couldn't find an officer candidate on the CWGC site but did find this interesting couple.... Pte Joseph W.Coulson 1/8 Bn, DLI Died 26.04.15 Pte Robert Coulson 1/8 Bn, DLI Died 26.04.15 Both died on same day and both on Menin Gate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coulson Posted 5 June , 2003 Author Share Posted 5 June , 2003 Terry, Interesting that, both men from my area, Middlesbrough & Willington. Not sure about any family connection but this was certainly the same action in which W H Coulson was killed, in fact it was 8th DLI's first action. Fought between 25th & 27th April around Boetleer Farm and the Gravenstafel Ridge. Apparently only 6 officers and 140 OR's came back from it. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jock Bruce Posted 7 June , 2003 Share Posted 7 June , 2003 Bob, Maybe your man didn't die. His MIC shows Capt W H Coulson 8th DLI Date of entry (France): 26 Apr 15 Elligible: 17 Feb 19 Exonerated Officers List/D I guess the reference to 'exonerated' to mean he was a prisoner of war and after his case was investigated post-war he was deemed elligible to medals - perhaps someone more knowledgable can confirm this. None of the 3 'W Coulson' files in WO 339 are this guy. Jock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coulson Posted 8 June , 2003 Author Share Posted 8 June , 2003 Jock, Very gratful for your efforts. The Divisional history definitely has him as KIA, however POW must be a possibility with there being no mention on CWGC or SDCD. I believe there is a book of officers taken POW, perhaps someone with a copy could check.? Incidently I have come across a reference to W H Coulson being the manager of Fishburn Colliery in Co Durham in 1914. Once again thanks for your help. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Denham Posted 8 June , 2003 Share Posted 8 June , 2003 Capt W.H.COULSON 8 Bn, DLI Missing 27.04.15 Interned 17.08.18 Holland Repatriated 23.10.18 Also, a 2/Lt T.E.Coulson 9 Bn, DLI Missing 05.11.16 Repatriated 18.12.18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Coulson Posted 8 June , 2003 Author Share Posted 8 June , 2003 Terry, That's excellent, thanks a lot for clearing the "mystery" up. Just goes to show you shouldn't always believe what you read. Bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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