Frank Ernest Cousens
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File:Cousens Frank Ernest.jpg Kalgoorlie Sun 24 Dec 1916 page 6 | |
 Commonwealth War Graves Commission | |
 Commonwealth War Graves Commission | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Rutherglen, Victoria |
| Death | 7 Aug 1916 |
| Place of Death | near Poziéres, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years old |
| Description | 5'8" (1.73m) tall; weight 151 lbs (68.5kg); dark complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair. |
| Occupation | saw filer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Jarrahdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr William Edward Cousens |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 5076 |
| Date of Enlistment | 10 Jan 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 16th Battalion, 16th Reinforcement transferred to 48th Battalion / 12th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 31 Mar 1916 - 24 Apr 1916 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A9 Shropshire |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Jarrahdale |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Contents
Pre War
War Service
Following nine weeks of basic military training in the Blackboy Hill camp, Frank was allocated to the 16th reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion. He travelled with them to Egypt where he continued his training with the 4th Training Battalion at Tel-el-Kebir, including a period where he was guarding the Suez Canal. He also spent from 28 Apr to 1 May in No.2 Australian Stationary Hospital with bronchitis. On 20 May he was reallotted tot he 12th Training Battalion as a reinforcement for the 48th Battalion.
Frank travelled from Alexandria to Marseilles aboard HMT Huntspill, departing on 7 June and arriving 14 Jun 1916. Held initially in the 4th Division Base Depot, he was one of 52 reinforcements that joined the 48th Battalion on 21 Jul 1916 at Berteacourt-les-Dames north west of Amiens, France.
On the night of 7th-8th August, the 48th Battalion relieved the 27th Battalion in the front lines near Poziéres. travelling there via SAUSAGE VALLEY, SUNKEN ROAD, PIONEER TRENCH, CORPSE AVENUE, and TRAMWAY TRENCH. All the while they were under a very heavy artillery bombardment by the enemy, and suffering heavy casualties.
Frank was one of these, receiving wounds to the head and chest. Although he was carried back behind the lines to the 13th Australian Field Ambulance, and then on to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station, he died the same day in the Casualty Clearing Station from those injuries.
Notes
Buried at Punchvillers Military Cemetery in Plot II; Row E; grave No. 7. Son of William Edwin and the late Mary Elizabeth Cousens of Jarrahdale, Western Australia.