No.17791, Private, Charles Alfred COULTON
Aged 41
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Charles Alfred Coulton was born in Rougham (2nd qtr 1877 Thingoe 4a:540), son of Robert and Rachel COULTON (née RICHARDSON).
1881 census...Aged 4, he was at The Green, Rougham with his father Robert COULTON [45] farm labourer; his mother Rachel [45]; brothers Willie [17] a farm labourer, and Frederick [6]; sister Jane [15] and grandfather, widower John RICHARDSON [87]. All were born in Rougham. His father died in 1882 1891 census...Aged 14, a farm labourer, he was at The Green, Rougham with his widowed mother; and brother Frederick (a farm labourer). His mother died in 1894 1901 census...Aged 24, a railway guard, he was boarding with Thomas and Lucy MURRIN at 45 Pembroke Street, Islington. There were 2 other railway guards boarding there. He married Kate Amelia LAST in 1909 1911 census...Aged 33, a horsekeeper on farm, he was at 76 How Lane, Rougham, with his wife Kate Amelia [28] born Rushbrooke. On the pension card his widow [28-5-1872] and daughter Kathleen Dorothy [23-8-1911] and son William Charles [4-3-1914] were at 66 The Green, Rougham. His son William Charles Coulton was killed in a military training exercise in 1941 see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds in January 1915 in the 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. After being wounded in 1917 he was transferred to
the 2nd Battalion. He died at 20th General Hospital, Etaples, France.
Thanks to the Bury Free Press article we know when he was wounded. The 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment on 30th March were engaged in trying to halt the German Spring Offensive, the Kaiserschlacht. From the 21st to 29th march the battalion suffered 414 killed, wounded or missing. By the 30th March the battalion had been forced back to Neuville Vitasse and on relief by the Canadians they marched back via Riviere to billets in Sombrin (15 miles SW of Arras), completely exhausted, the last arrived at 9am on 31st.
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
