Private Lawrence Couch

Lawrence was the son of Charles Couch and Lucy Couch (nee Sussex). The Couch family have a long established history with the St Giles in the Wood area. Precise addresses from early census records are difficult to locate largely down to the poor record keeping and general vagueness of these documents. For example, the 1881 census notes their address as “Kingscott Hamlet, St Giles in the Wood, Torrington, Devon, England”. Despite this, we learn that Lawrence’s father is an agricultural labourer and his mother is a glover. We’ll come to see from other families of these soldiers that the gloving trade was a backbone industry in Great Torrington at this time in history. There were four children living in the household at this time, there would be a total of nine children, which would include Lawrence.

By 1891 the census records the family living at “Cottage, High Bullen, St Giles in the Wood, Torrington, Devon, England”. The family had increased in size to six children in the household by this time. We can see that the head of the household is still classed as a farm labourer. It is not until the 1901 census that we see Lawrence listed, who was born in 1894. By 1898 he began school at St Giles in the Wood National School, which is also where his siblings attended. As well his parents and siblings listed on the 1901 census, Fanny Sussex, his aunt, was also resident. The property was noted as “St Giles, High Cullen (sic), St Giles in the Wood, Torrington, Devon, England”, although it’s safe to assume they mean “High Bullen”, rather than High Cullen.

An entry in the Western Times of 1906 suggests that Lawrence was a good student as he was listed amongst successful candidates who were successful at the prayer-book examination held on 9th December 1905, which had been founded by Bishop Phillpotts [1]. In 1908 Lawrence can once again been seen registering at St Giles in the Wood National School, but this time in the capacity of “Evening School”. Although there are no further details of this enrolment, such as the courses undertaken, his address is recorded as “Peagham”, most likely referring to Peagham Barton, which is a tiny hamlet in the St Giles in the Wood parish just off the B3227 between Great Torrington and Umberleigh. This is also later corroborated by an article in the 1918 Western Times that reports the wedding of Ethel Couch to Private William Thomas Osborne of the 105th Canadian Forestry Corps. The parents are referred to as “Mr and Mrs Charles Couch (Pegham Barton)” [2]

By 1911 Lawrence was 17 years old and had found employment and was recorded as a “Worker on farm”. As his father had a continued agricultural trade, “cattle man on farm” in 1911, it’s reasonable to assume they worked for the same employer. High Bullen is still their registered address. The other noteworthy piece of information is that Ethel Couch is listed as a grandchild, whereas previously she was a child on the earlier census. Most likely, this is a spurious entry given the ages of her other siblings.

Lawrence married Ellen (Nellie) Hooper, although exact details are sketchy. Certainly, it would have been after the 1911 census. At that time we can see that she was living at 36 Calf Street, Great Torrington, with her parents and brother. Like the Couch’s, the Hooper family have connections with St Giles in the Wood as her father, brother and Ellen were all born there. However, as Ellen attended Great Torrington Council School (Girls), enrolling in 1899, we know they would have left the village and moved to the town at an early stage. Indeed, the 1901 census has them living at 79 Mill Street, Great Torrington, when she was aged 8. A secondary connection would be Ellen’s profession as a silk glove maker, which she shared with Lawrence’s mother.

Again down to poor record keeping, there is no enlistment/conscription date for Lawrence Couch. We do know that he fought with two separate units during his time in the forces. Firstly was service with the Royal Artillery Devonshire Yeomanry where he served as a Private, Soldier Number: 1077. This was followed by the more commonly known Devonshire Regiment, again serving with the 1st Battalion. Records show that Lawrence enlisted in Barnstaple. Amongst the action that he saw was the Battle of Arras.

Battle of Arras, 1917: Attack on La Coulotte

The Battle of Arras saw a major offensive by troops of a host of countries from the British Empire against German trench positions to the east of the French city of Arras. The assault, lasting from 9th April to 16th May 1917 would coincide with French operations focused on the Chemin-des-Dames ridge near Rheims. The Arras engagement could essentially be dissected into ten separate parts of an overall plan. Early operations, particularly the Battle of Vimy and the First Battle of the Scarpe, were considered positive achievements.

The 1st Devons, which had been amalgamated into the 95th Brigade of the 5th Division, would now be called into action as part of an attack La Coulotte. There was no real intent for the operation to be a success as this was seen largely as a diversionary attack. The greatest issue was the formidable fortifications of La Coulotte, which included an open expanse of no man’s land that provided little cover protection, the thick entanglement of barbed wire and the railway embankment on the approach provided a formidable firing position for enemy machine gun crews. To compound these issues, British artillery batteries had not moved up in sufficient numbers to offer effective bombardment support in the prelude to the attack and the weather conditions had been particularly harsh, which would have fatigued the men in advance of assault. In short, the men were being asked to do the impossible and heavy casualties could be expected from the outset. There is a vague logic in this type of diversionary assault; these secondary attacks pin down the enemy’s reserve forces that could be redeployed on the primary attack and also keeps the enemy guessing as to the exact battle plans.

Nevertheless, the attack would commence on the 23rd April, the 1st Devons would take their place on the right flank of the assault. From the outset the attack floundered as enemy artillery tore through the ranks from the start. Those that were able to traverse no man’s land to the wire found it largely intact with their own artillery barrage leaving it largely untouched. Despite these setbacks, the Devons were able to capture their first objective with a Herculean effort. At one stage the optimism was unbridled, one report read "For a short time the parties who had succeeded in entering the German trenches looked as if they were going to accomplish the impossible." [3] However, a combination of lack of close artillery support, low ammunition and poor supply, large reinforcements reaching the German lines presenting itself in fierce counter attacks as well as heavy casualties eventually meant that the Devons lost the initiative and were forced back.

In terms of gains, the operation was a failure although, despite their most gallant efforts. Realistically, bearing in mind the size of the task of their orders, in what was essentially a diversionary attack, limiting casualty numbers was the best that could have been hoped for. This also proved a failure and the impossible task they had been asked to execute was paid for at a high price and much blood was spilt that day. Over 70 troops were reported killed and over 160 reported as injured. It left the battalion badly weakened.

Among the dead was Private Lawrence Couch. He was first reported as wounded and missing on 4th May in the Western Times [4], but it wouldn’t be till later in the year in December that official notification of his death was realised in the North Devon Journal [5] Lawrence, aged 23, left a widow, Ellen Couch, who was residing at 36 Calf Street, Great Torrington at that time. The following poem was published in the Western Times [6] a year after his death:

In loving memory of a beloved husband, Pte. L. Couch, St. Giles, Torrington, killed in action 23rd April, 1917.

Far away from home and his loved ones,

Laid to rest in that far-away land.

Never more shall our eyes here behold him,

Never again shall we clasp his dear hand.

His cheery ways, his smiling face,

Are a pleasure to recall,

Though there’s nothing left to answer

But his photo on the wall.

As well as on the Great Torrington war memorial, Lawrence is remembered on the Arras Memorial in Pas de Calais, France, and on the St Giles in the Wood Memorial plaque. The bronze plaque was erected as a memorial to the soldiers from the village who gave their lives in the Great War. “The donor, Mrs Clemson, could scarcely have chosen a more fitting memorial, and it constitutes the completion of a handsome permanent reminder of twelve gallant fellows.” [7] The inscription read “To the memory of those who counted not their lives dear unto themselves – 1914 – 1918” and lists their names. The service and unveiling was completed by the sounding of the “Last Post” and Reveille by cornets. Hymns and psalms were sung by the choir. Reverend C Walker, who gave the service, based his words on the significance of the memorial.

Lawrence's name on the St Giles in the Wood plaque

Private Couch's medals

[1] Western Times. February 16th 1906. ‘The Exeter Diocesan Board Examination’.

[2] Western Times. June 28th 1918. ‘News of the West: St Giles in the Wood’

[3] The-Devonshire-Regiment-1914-1918

[4] Western Times. May 4th 1917. ‘News of the West’.

[5] North Devon Journal. December 20th 1917. ‘North Devon War Items’.

[6] Western Times. April 5th 1918. ‘Births, marriages, deaths’.

[7] North Devon Journal. November 20th 1919. ‘St. Giles-in-the-Wood’.