Bertram Anthony Cousins (1886–1972)

Major

Canadian Expeditionary Force   106th Reg; 45th & 43rd Battalions

 

Biography
Bertram's father was Thomas Lambert Anthony Cousins who became headmaster of Fritchley National School during 1880s. The family relocated to Nottingham between 1891–1901.
Bertram departed for Canada from Liverpool, 18 May 1905 (his family remained in England). He married Agnes Elizabeth Scammell (1886-1956) at Winnipeg, Manitoba, 9 May 1907.
His second marriage was to Jennie Topham after 1956. He died in North Vancouver, British Columbia, 21 March 1972.

Army Record
COUSINS, Bertram Athony: Major: born 08/06/1886 (NB Sometimes recorded as Anthony B Cousins)
Born at Fritchley, Nr Ambergate, Derbyshire; address Suite 6, Bettes Block, Winnipeg, Man.
Next of kin – Agnes Elizabeth Cousins, wife. Address –Montpelier, Mapperley Plains, Notts, England who received $50 separation allowance per month from March 1916 until May 1917. Returned to Canada 8/6/19
Occupation – Electrical Engineer, Salesman and Contractor; C of E
Active militia Unit – 106th Wpg Light Infantry
Former Military Service 90th Winnipeg Rifles (6½ yrs); 106th Winnipeg Rifles (nearly 4 yrs)
Height 5 ft 9½ in (5ft 7in elsewhere in the records) , dark complexion, blue eyes, black hair, weight 129½ lb
Mole on right shoulder; scar on right leg from scald., left hand scar from bullet, tip right finger missing
Enlisted 1 February 1915 at Winnipeg
March 1916 stated as having two children Arthur Lambert Cousins aged 5, and Alice, Lilian Winnifred Cousins aged. Parents alive residing at Montpelier, Mapperley Plains, Nottingham, England
Served in Belgium and France, Defence of Ypres, Somme, Vimey Ridge, Artillery observation with Royal Flying Corps S,O,S, 1916

1/2/15 Appointed Lieutenant at Winnipeg
26/5/15 Promoted Captain
1/1/16 Povisional promotion to Major in command of "B" coy
1/4/16 Sailed from Halifax per ss Baltic
12/5/16 Reported for duty completion of musketry course
19/6/16 On command CMS L Infantry course & attached
7/7/16 Attached 11th Battalion for Q & R
2/8/16 Transferred to 43rd Battalion, France
2/8/16 Taken on strength as sup. to establishment 43rd Bn
29/11/16 Attached to RFC for duty as observer on probation
4/3/17 Admission Canadian Military Hospital Hastings whilst on leave from France
6/3/17 Granted Leave to cover period in hospital until 27/3/17
27/3/17 Discharged hospital influenza
27/3/17 SQS BEF on being admitted to hospital whilst on leave
27/3/17 Med. boarded in England & detached to Man.RD
22/6/17 To Canada per ss Metagama via Liverpool

Service: Canada 12-12; England 11-12; France 7-12
T.B Suspect in France 4/11/16 . Was in Ninette Sanatoriumfrom Sept -Nov 1917
Influenza May 20-22 1918

Lieut promoted Capt 26/5/16 (PML 4/6/15)
Promotied Major 31/12/15 (PML15/2/16)

Medical Report 23 May1917, Shorncliffe, Folkestone
Major B.A. Cousins, 14 Res CEF, age 31, pulminary debility
Owing to TB unfit for service should have instititional treatment in Canada
Disabilty is permanent and caused by miltary service.
Discharged 3 /7/18

CENSUS INFORMATION

1891: Crich Common

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Thomas L A Cousins Head 32 Schoolmaster of Elementary School Bristol
Alice M Cousins wife 32 Schoolmistress of Elemetary School Bridport
Bertram A Cousins son 4   Crich
Lilian M Cousins daughter 2   Crich
Gertrude Beighton servant 12 General domestic servant Fritchley

RG12 piece 1746 folio 59 page 11

1901: Nottingham

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Thomas L A Cousins Head 42 Schoolmaster Bristol
Alice M Cousins wife 42   Bridport
Bertram A Cousins son 14   Crich
May Cousins daughter 12   Crich
Eric Cousins son 6   Nottingham
Florence E Hill servant 19 General domestic servant Huntingdonshire

RG13 piece 318o folio8 page 7

1911: Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Bertram A Cousins Head 25 (June 85) Warehouseman (to Canada 1903) English
Agnes Cousins wife 24 (Oct 86) (to Canada 1903) English
Alice Cousins daughter 3 (June 08)   Manitoba
Arthur Cousins son 1 (June 10)   Manitoba

 

1921: Saskatchewan, Canada

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Bertram Anthony Cousins Head 35 Farmer Canadian (born England)
Agnes Elizabeth Cousins wife 34   Canadian (born England)
Alice Lilian Winifred Cousins daughter 13   Manitoba, Canadian
Arthur Lambert Cousins son 11   Manitoba, Canadian
Francis May Cousins daughter 3   Manitoba, Canadian

 

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