Reuben Leeuwin Cousens

400px Sunday Times 3 Dec 1916 page 6.
Personal Information
Date of Birth	not known
Place of Birth	Karridale, Western Australia
Death	8 Jan 1917
Place of Death	Mametz, France
Age at Enlistment	18 years, 10 months
Description	5'3½" (1.61m) tall; weight 145 lbs (65.8kg); fresh complexion, brown eyes, dark brown hair.
Occupation	fireman
Religion	Church of England
Address	Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Father Mr William Edward Cousens
Military Information
Reg Number	4996
Date of Enlistment	8 Mar 1916
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	28th Battalion, 13th Reinforcements / 7th Brigade, 2nd Division
Date of Embarkation	18 Jul 1916 - 9 Sep 1916
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A48 Seang Bee
Fate	Killed in Action 8 Jan 1917
Monument	Jarrahdale
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

War Service

A month after entering Blackboy Hill camp, Reuben was allocated to the 13th reinforcement draft for the28th Battalion. On arrival in England Reuben was sent to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone to complete his war preparedness training. Following a very brief period of training he proceeded overseas to Étaples in France from Folkestone on 2 Nov 1916 aboard HMT Victoria.

Admitted to the 2nd Divisions Base Depot, he was on 13 Nov 1916 sent to join the 28th Battalion, which he did on 18 Nov 1916. The battalion had just been replaced in the line by the 18th Battalion amidst a light fall of snow , followed by rain. The battalion then moved back to the Fricourt Camp before finding billets at Bieure.

On the day Reuben was killed, the 28th Battalion's War Diary simply records "Bn moved to DELVILLE WOOD". The following day they relieved the 19th Battalion in support trenches south east of Guidecourt, so it is likely that his death was caused by German artillery targeting rear and support areas.

COUSENS.-- On January 8, 1917. Killed in action in France, Private Reuben L. Cousens, aged 19 years and 9 months, dearly beloved sixth son of W. E. and M.E. Cousens, of Jarrahdale, beloved brother of Privates Will, Bert, Martin (now in action), Mary, Bob, Jeff,

Jim, Dorrie.

Beloved by all.

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  Section of 28th Battalion panel at Villers-Bretonneux - photo Linton Reynolds
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  Linton Reynolds photo 2015