Herbert Dunbar Cousens
From Our Contribution
 Sunday Times 3 Dec 1916, page 6 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Rutherglen, Victoria |
| Death | 2 Jun 1965 |
| Place of Death | Harvey, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 27 years, 5 months |
| Description | 5'7" (1.70m) tall; weight 198 lbs (76.2kg); dark comlexion, hazel eyes, black hair. |
| Occupation | engine driver |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Bush Landing, Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife Mrs Ruby Pearl Cousens |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 4995 |
| Date of Enlistment | 8 Mar 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 13th Reinforcement, / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division transferred to Postal Corps 19 Jan 1919 |
| Date of Embarkation | 18 Jul 1916 - 9 Sep 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A48 Seang Bee |
| Date of Return | 19 Apr 1919 - 28 May 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Sardinia |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Jarrahdale |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Married Ruby Perl Pratt in 1916 prior to embarking for England. Electoral Roll entries - 1916 with Ruby at Bush Landing, Jarrahdale.
War Service
Four weeks after entering camp, Herbert was allocated to the 13th reinforcement draft for the 28th Battalion. Travelling with them to England, on arrival he was sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone.
On 2 Nov 1916 he proceeded overseas to Étaples in France aboard SS Princess Henriette from Folkestone, and on 18 Nov 1916 he was taken on strength by the 28th Battalion as they were being replaced in the line by the 18th Battalion, and as they moved to Fricourt Camp.
Detached to serve with the 557th Sussex A.T. on 4 Oct 1917, before being attached to the Corps Workshop detachment of the Australian Royal Engineers on 20 May 1918. On 19 Jan 1919 Herbert was permanently detached to the Australian Postal Corps Headquarters.
On 27 Mar 1919 he embarked for England and on 11 Apr 1919 he was transferred to the No2 group at Sutton Veny.
Discharged by 5th Military District on 12 Jul 1919
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1922 - 1937 at Mornington Mills a winch driver while Ruby was at Marrinup; 1925 Ruby moved to Mornington Mills; 1943 - 1958 at Ash avenue Harvey, engine driver.
Notes