Harold Ernest Coutie

First Name: 
Harold
Middle Name: 
Ernest
Last Name: 
Coutie
Mother's Name: 
Dulcie (nee Shaw)
Father's Name: 
Joseph Coutie
Date Enlisted: 
Tuesday, February 8, 1916
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
30th Battalion
Company: 
D Company
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Wednesday, October 10, 1917
Place of Death: 
Polygon Wood
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Harold Coutie (Service No 2613) was a keen soldier. He had enlisted on 26th April 1915 claiming to be 21 years old, but was discharged 34 days later after his mother contacted the Army requesting his discharge as he was under age.

He was born in Sydney, NSW about 1895 and attended Newtown High School. He had spent 4 years in 37th Infantry CMF. At the time of enlistment he was a single 21 year old labourer living at Port Kembla.

He embarked on HMAT A71 Nestor on 9th April 1916 with 5th Reinforcements, 30th Battalion.
On 26th September 1916 he joined 6 Section, 14 Platoon, D Company in France and saw service with them on the Western Front. Harold was at the Battle for Polygon Wood when he was killed in action on 10th October 1917. The Red Cross file evidence states while volunteering to be a stretcher bearer about 11:30pm in Polygon Wood he was carrying a wounded officer when he was hit by a shell and killed. He is buried in Buttes New British Cemetery, Plot XXX, Row A, Grave 3.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, COUTIE H