John Cousins
- Family History
- Military History
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John ('Jack') Cousins was born in 1893 in Nottingham and was the son of Frank, an engine fitter, and Eliza Ann Cousins née Cockayne, of 17 Paxton Street, Nottingham. His father Frank was born in 1862 in Nottingham and his mother Eliza Ann Cockayne was also born in 1862 in Nottingham. They were married in 1879 in Nottingham and went on to have 10 children, 2 of whom died in infancy or early childhood prior to 1911. Their surviving children listed on the 1901/1911 census are: Edward b1882, Elizabeth b1886, William b1888, Frank b1891, John b1893, Annie b1895 and May b1912. In the 1911 census the family are living at 17 Paxton Gardens, Nottingham and are shown as Frank 49 yrs an engine fitter, he is living with his wife Eliza Ann 49 yrs and their children, William 23 yrs an iron planer, Frank 20rs an iron turner , John 18 yrs an iron turner, Annie 16 yrs a lace friller and May 12 yrs a scholar John married Hilda Culley in 1915 (J/F/M Nottingham). The same year they had a son John Ronald (A/M/J Nottingham) but sadly the baby died in 1917 (March Nottingham). Following John's death his widow Hilda remarried Thomas Bird in 1917 (O/N/D Nottingham). They lived at 8 Newcastle Road, Meadows, Nottingham (CWGC).
Private John Cousins enlisted at Nottingham and served with the 1/7th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment (Robin Hood Rifles). He landed in France on 28th February 1915 . He was killed in action on 31st July 1915 and is buried in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery (grave ref. II.D.42).
In memoriam published 31st July 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “COUSINS. – In loving memory of [my] dear beloved husband, Private John Cousins, 1/7th Robin Hoods, killed in action, July 31st, 1915. I often sit and think of you when I am all alone, for memory is the only friend that grief can call its own. Peace, perfect peace. – Loving wife Hilda and Sonnie; also Mrs. Culley and sister Elsie. “COUSINS. – In sacred memory of our beloved youngest son and brother, Private John (Jack) Cousins, 1/7th Robin Hoods, killed in action, July 31st, 1915. We often speak his loving name and shed a silent tear; time cannot alter love so deep and true, one year but brings to us our grief anew. Nobly he lived, a hero he died. – Loving mother, dad, brother, Frank (in France), sisters Annie, May, brother Ted and family (Leicester). “COUSINS. – In loving memory of my dear brother, Private Jack Cousins, killed in action, July 31st, 1915. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. My dear husband and brother reunited. – Sorrowing sister, Lizzie Wragg. “COUSINS. – In loving memory of our beloved brother, Private Jack Cousins, killed in action July 31st, 1915. Ever in our thoughts. – Loving sister Minne and husband Fred, also nieces Annie, Gladys, nephew Freddie. “COUSINS. – In loving memory of our beloved brother, Private Jack Cousins, killed in action July 31st, 1915. The heavenly stars shine o'er the foreign grave of one we dearly loved but could not save. – Loving brother Will and Francis (Sheffield).” Above are courtesyof Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 1 February 1918: ‘Cousins. In loving memory of our dearly beloved grandchild and nephew, John Ronald Cousins, who died January 31st 1917, beloved child of the late Pte John (Jack) Cousins. Reunited. Love, with remembrances, will last forever. Loving grandma, granddad, aunties, uncles, also Uncles Frank and Charlie (in France).’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
