HENRY GEORGE COUZINS
If it was not for the 1911 census, Henry George Couzins would have become almost untraceable as it is the only confirmed documentary evidence for his connection to Portsmouth.
In it, the census records Henry George living with his wife Ada at 34 Curtis Terrace, Landport. It also notes that the couple had been married the previous year and that both had been born in Portsmouth. Unfortunately no documentary evidence in support of either statement has been located.
At the outbreak of the Great War Henry George was 26 years old and must have enlisted early on as he joined the 14th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment. After training the battalion was despatched to France, landing at Le Havre in March 1916. He fought throughout the Battle of the Somme and part of the Third Battle of Ypres but was killed in July 1917.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) list Henry George Couzins, Lance Corporal, 14th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, died 14/07/1917, age 29. Buried at Brandhoek Military Cemetery (Grave Ref: I.N.50.). Husband of Ada Couzins, of 19, Basin St., Kingston Cross, Portsmouth.
Henry Couzins is commemorated on the Cenotaph, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth. He is not listed in "The National Roll of the Great War", Section X.
Tim Backhouse
January 2015