Couchman, Arthur John

No.2881 – Private Arthur John Couchman – 51^st Battalion AIF

Arthur John Couchman was born in Kent England in 1887 to Emma and John Couchman. The family lived at Wilmington Kent and the 1901 census has him as 13 years old and still living with his family in this district. On the 8^th September 1908 he boarded an Orient Steamship Vessel called Ortona bound for Fremantle. His occupation on the passenger manifest was listed as Gardener.

Upon arriving in WA he took up residence in Fremantle and worked as a labourer. In Perth in 1916 he married Sarah McAlinden and they took up residence in Thompson Road North Fremantle.

On the 19^th June 1916, Arthur offered his services to the AIF and was passed as fit. The medical examiner found Arthur to be 5 feet 3 ½ inches tall, weight of 146 lbs; chest measurement of 36-38 inches; ruddy complexion; grey eyes and fair hair. His religious denomination was Church of England.

After spending a few weeks in No.77 Depot, on the 1^st August 1916 Arthur was assigned to the 8^th Reinforcements to the 51^st Battalion. He spent a month with this group, but on the 4^th September 1916 was transferred to the 7^th Reinforcements to the 51^st.

Arthur trained with this group in WA until the 9^th November 1916 when they embarked from Fremantle aboard the H.M.A.T. “Argyllshire”.

After the long journey to England, Arthur disembarked at Devonport on the 10^th January 1917. They were sent to the 13^th Training Battalion at Codford on the Salisbury Plains. Arthur spent a month here but had become unwell so on the 11^th February 1917 he was admitted to the New Zealand Hospital at Codford.

He was diagnosed with Bronco-pneumonia and acute bronchitis with the onset of TB. Part of the treatment given to Arthur was a daily intake of Brandy and champagne. Unfortunately his condition rapidly worsened and on the 15^th February he died.

He was buried in Codford Cemetery plot 48 with a service given by Chaplain Captain Burridge. After receiving his effects his wife Sarah seems to have disappeared from the scene as no trace could be found of her whereabouts.