Village memories: Ebenezer Cottages (picture from SWOP website)
No picture available
Private 20718 5th Battalion, Oxford & Bucks Light
Infantry Killed in action on 4th April 1918 aged
20 Remembered with Honour at Pozieres Memorial
Panel 50 and 51
Frank was born in High Wycombe in 1898 to Frank and Edith. In 1911 he
was living with his parents and brothers and sister at Ebenezer Cottages
on the London Road in Loudwater. At that time his father was employed
as a gardener and his mother a domestic help. Elder brother John was
employed as a railway porter and his four younger brothers and one sister
were still at school, as was Frank himself.
James enlisted in the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry and was attached
to the 5th Battalion engaged in Flanders. Private Cousens was killed
in action on 4th April 1918 at the age of 20, probably at the Battle of
Avre which the Battalion was heavily engaged in on that date and where
they sustained heavy losses. One of his battalion comrades Bertram
Smith was also killed in action on the same day and also appears on the
Loudwater memorial.
His death was reported after the war ended in the Bucks Free Press on
29th August 1919 where a brief statement mentioned 'Last week Mr and
Mrs Cousens received the official news that their son Pte. F .E. Cosens,
20718, 5th Batt. Oxford and Bucks L.I., reported missing April 4th 1918
is now presumed to have died on that date (or since). The gallant soldier
was aged 20 years and 10 months'.
Frank is remembered with honour on the Pozieres Memorial in the
Somme, France.
Additional information taken from the Buckinghamshire Remembers website:
Name Frank Edward COUSENS
Rank/Number Private 20718
Regiment Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry 5th Battalion
Enlisted High Wycombe
Age/Date of death 20 04 Apr 1918
How died/Theatre of war Killed in action France & Flanders
Last known address Loudwater
Cemetery Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France
Grave or Memorial Reference Panel 50 & 51
Location of memorial Loudwater
Date/Place of birth c1898 Wycombe
Date/Place of baptism
Pre-war occupation of Casualty
Parents Frank (late & Edith S Cousens
Parent's occupation gardner
Parents’ Address (last known) Ebenezer Place, Loudwater
Wife
Wife’s Address (last known)
