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George Coulton was born on August 28th 1891 and baptised at Netherseal St Peters on 25th

October in the same year.1 He was the fourth son of Albert Coulton and Mary Coulton (nee

Grundy). 2 He had three brothers (Frederick, James and Thomas) and three sisters (Annie,

Alice and Violet).

1 Ancestry.co.uk C of E Baptisms 1813-1916 Seale, St Peter, Netherseal 1875-1916 George Coulton 2 Family tree courtesy of Jill Hempsall. Information from ancestry.co.uk

Private George Coulton

3rd Battalion, 6th North Staffordshire Regiment

Regimental Number 4339

140th Company and 49th Company Machine Gun Corps

Regimental Number 44077

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The 1901 Census shows the family living on Dog Lane. Father Alfred was a 34 year old Coal Miner – a Hewer working on the coal face. George’s

older brother Frederick was only aged 13, but he was already working as a Farm Cowman.

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3 Ancestry.co.uk 1901 Census Records

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By 1911, George was living in Newton Regis with his Aunt and Uncle, John and Annie Stretton, and their family. He was aged 19 and working as a

Bricklayer’s Labourer.

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On 8th November 1915, George enlisted with the 3rd Battalion, 6th North Staffordshire Regiment.

He signed up at Burton on Trent for a 4 year Service in the Territorial Force.

In the Spring of 1915 enlistment into the forces averaged 100,000 men per month, but this

wasn’t sustainable. The upper age limit was raised from 38 to 40 in May 1915 in an effort to

keep numbers up, but it became clear that voluntary recruitment was not going to provide the

number of men required.4

The government passed the National Registration Act on 5th July 1915 as a step towards

stimulating recruitment and to discover how many men between the ages of 15 and 65 were

engaged in each trade. All men in this age range, who were not already in the military, were

obliged to register, giving their employment details. The census showed that there were almost

5 million males of military age who were not in the forces, of which only 1.6m were in reserved

occupations (those jobs that required particular skills, for example Coal Miners, Doctors,

Teachers and those working in the iron and steel industries).

It is worth noting that George seems to have chosen to enlist, despite the fact that he was a

Coal Miner and therefore in a reserved occupation.

4 https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/enlisting-into-the-army

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5

Attestation Papers for Enlistment

5 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920

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Medical inspection report for George. He was considered fit for service in the 3/6th North

Staffordshire Regiment.

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In October 1915, the Group Scheme (also known as the Derby Scheme) was implemented to

raise enlistment numbers. Men aged 18 to 40 were informed that under the scheme they could

continue to enlist voluntarily, or attest with an obligation to come if called up later on.

6 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920

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Men who attested under the scheme, who were accepted for service but chose to defer it were

classified as “Class A”. Those who agreed to immediate services were “Class B”.

The men who attested under the Derby Scheme were classified into married and single status

and into 23 groups according to their age. Had George attested in Class A and deferred his call

up, he would have been in Group 7 - which had a mobilisation date of 8th February 2016.7 As

George enlisted on November 1915, it would suggest that he was a Class B – he signed up and

agreed to immediate service.

Although not in very good condition (because of fire damage caused by a German bomb hitting

the War Office Repository in September 1940), there are numerous records available on-line

that show details of George’s military service.

It can be seen from his Military History sheet that he spent November 1915 to August 1916 here

in the UK – presumably training to be mobilised abroad, along with the rest of his battalion. The

3rd Battalion were a Reserve unit initially based at Lichfield. By May 1915 they were based at

Seaham, County Durham and then moved to Forest Hall, North Tyneside – this is assumedly

where George would have been stationed during his time with the North Staffordshire

Regiment.8

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On 23rd July 1916 George was transferred to the Machine Gun Corp – initially to the 140th

Regiment. Army Form B268a indicates he was ‘discharged in consequence of re-enlistment

with the Machine Gun Corp’.

As part of the transfer from the North Staffordshire Regiment to the Machine Gun Corp, Army

Form W3068 had to be completed, detailing the articles of clothing in possession of a man

leaving a Regiment (see page 7). It gives an insight into how little a soldier actually had in the

way of clothing.

7 https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/enlisting-into-the-army/the-group-scheme-derby-scheme/ 8 https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/1715/north-staffordshire-regiment/ 9 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920

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Discharged and transferred to the Machine Gun Corp

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George’s military character listed as very good and he was regarded as a good worker.

10 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920

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A list of clothing and necessaries that George had with him upon transfer to the MGC.

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11 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920

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The Machine Gun Corps12

In 1914, all infantry battalions were equipped with a machine gun section of two guns, which was increased to four guns by February 1915. The experience of fighting in early clashes and in the First Battle of Ypres proved that the machine guns needed special tactics and organisation. Machine Gun Training Centres were set up in Wisque, France and Grantham, England. A single specialist Machine Gun Corps (MGC) was set up in October 1915 and the gunners from each brigade transferred to this new Corps. A base depot was established at Camiers in France. Shortly after the formation of the MGC, the Maxim guns they had been using were replaced by the Vickers Machine Gun. It weighed 28.5lb, was cooled by water held in a jacket around the barrel (weighing another 10lb) and fired from a tripod weighing 20lb. Bullets were held in a canvas belt holding 250 rounds and would last 30 seconds at the maximum rate of 500 rounds per minute. Two men were needed to carry the equipment and two for the ammunition. A Vickers machine gun team also had two spare men.

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On 6th August 1916 George went with the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) to France, leaving

Folkestone and heading for Boulogne. He joined the Machine Gun Corp’s base camp at

Camiers on 7th August.

On 9th August George joined 140 Coy in the field which was, according to the War Diaries, at

Neufmoulin, France. The diaries show that they were training for different scenarios.

“9th August. Weather Hot. Training: Artillery formations. Box respirators inspected by Divisional

Gas Expert. 10th August. Rain. Practise attacked on enemy trenches. Experimented with

employment of Machine Guns in forward positions e.g. shell holes in No Man’s Land. Assisting

RE (Royal Engineers).” Two of the War Diary pages are shown below.

12 http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/machine-gun-corps-in-the-first-world-war/ 13 Imperial War Museum – British Vickers Machine Guns

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14 Ancestry.co.uk UK,WW1 Diaries France, Belgium & Germany 1914-1920 140 Infantry Brigade: Brigade MGC 1916Jan-1918Feb

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George’s Casualty Form (Army Form B103) indicates that on 9th September 1916 he was sent

to hospital suffering from Pyrexia (fever). He re-joined his Company on 15th September.

On the 15th September 1916, the 140th Coy were involved in the Battle of High Wood. The battle

for High Wood’s 75 acres started on 14th July and raged nearly continuously for 64 days. It

came to be known as ‘the hell of High Wood’ and ‘the rottenest place on the Western Front’. In

the end, the British finally managed to overwhelm the Germans on 15th September.15 The 140th

Coy of the Machine Gun Corp played their part on the last day of the battle.

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15 https://owlcation.com/humanities/World-War-1-History-High-Wood-The-Sommes-75-Acres-of-Hell

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The War Diary page below details 140 Coy’s involvement in the Battle of High Wood. 16

16 Ancestry.co.uk UK,WW1 Diaries France, Belgium & Germany 1914-1920 140 Infantry Brigade: Brigade MGC 1916Jan-1918Feb

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Transcription: From 15th September 1916 at High Wood: Fine. 47th Division attacked German

lines in High Wood at 6.20am. 140th Brigade on right captured 1st objectives. Attack by 141

Brigade held up on the left of High Wood. 3 sections MG Coy carried out intense overhead

indirect fire on Switch Line and ground beyond from 6.20 to 6.25am. 12,000 rounds fired. 1

Section (“C”) went over after 1st objective had been taken and took up position, 1 (?) firing in

direction of Flers- 3 firing behind High Wood in direction of Martin Puich Road – position

approximately junction Switch Lane and Sunk Road. 1 Section (“D”) moved up to OB1 in High

Wood at 8.30am.

Casualties: 2nd Lt’s HS Hewitt and EA Upcott and 6 OR.

Although the battle for High Wood was over, the shelling and attacks continued elsewhere. The

day after the taking of High Wood by the British Army, 140 Coy lost a number of men. The War

diary (above) records: 1 Section withdrawn to battery position in morning. 2 Guns (“C” Section)

on left of Switch Line buried with teams – 1 gun and tripod afterwards recovered. 4 guns

relieved by 142 MG Coy at night. Casualties: Killed 5 OR, Wounded 9 OR Missing 5 OR.

From November 1916 to May 1917 140 Coy were moved to various areas for rest and training.

They were also involved in various skirmishes on the frontier near Abeele - and had baths at

Poperinghe (once in November and again in December!) They then went on to the Canal Sub-

Section at Ypres. The War Diary records heavy shelling on numerous occasions, but 140 Coy

held on to the Canal Sub-Section from February to May 1918. They were then relieved by

another company.

On 5th May 1917 George was promoted from Private and appointed as a Lance Corporal

(Unpaid), as shown on his Statement of Services Record. Criteria for promotion would have

been as simple as an understanding of the way things worked, having been around for a time,

and being perceived as a good, steady soldier by his Section Command and Officer.

Responsibilities would have included administration of the men, understudying the Section

Commander in case he had to ‘step up’ and accounting for ammunition, rations, water etc.17

Records show that on 5th July 1917 George undertook a Map Reading Course. At this point he

was still a Lance Corporal so it is assumed this was part of his training.

17 https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/16853-lance-corporal-unpaid/

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18 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920

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On 16th September 1917, George was admitted to hospital with Gun Shot (Shell) Wounds in his

left arm and flesh and upper hip wounds (or this could read upper lip wounds – see below). He

was in hospital from 18th September to 30th October.

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In 1916, Army Council Instruction 775 stated that ‘in future sick and wounded British troops who

have been transferred from an Expeditionary Force and who, in the opinion of the Officer in

charge of the central hospital, are likely to become fit to return to war within a maximum of six

weeks and are, at the time of the transfer, fit to be up and about, will be transferred to military

convalescent hospitals in the UK.’20

19 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920 20 https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/the-evacuation-chain-for-wounded-and-sick-soldiers/transfers-to-military-convalescent-hospitals/

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George was transferred to a Convalescent Home in Eastbourne on 30th October 1917. He

stayed there until 17th November. The convalescent Home is Eastbourne was the Military

Convalescent Hospital, Summerdown Camp, Eastbourne. 21

21

Summerdown Convalescence Hospital and Camp, Eastbourne

More images of the convalescent hospital can be found on the web site detailed in 21 below.

21 www.flickr.com/photos/escchistoricalpics/albums/72157633900693949

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On 17th November 1917, George was allowed home on ‘furlough’ (men who had been

wounded, after recovering, and before returning to a Base Depot or training establishment, were

granted furlough). He returned to his parents at Wood Yard, Netherseal.

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On 11th December 1917 George was posted to No 3 Battalion from Grantham (entry signed by

the Adjutant of the M.G.T.C. (Machine Gun Training Corp).

22 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920;

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It is noted on Troop, Battery and Company Conduct sheet that on 22nd December 1917 George

was in a bit of trouble for committing an offence. On 20th December he overstayed his leave

until 2.20pm on 21st December. His punishment was 5 days confined to barracks.

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By March 1918 George was on his way back to France to re-join the fighting. He embarked at

Folkestone on 4th March and arrived at Boulogne the same day. He joined MGC Base Depot at

Camiers on 5th March.

23 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920; 24 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920;

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On 13th March 1918 George joined the 49th Battalion of the Machine Gun Corp. Whilst the War

Diaries provide masses of information, it is not certain exactly where George was because no

mention was made in his records about which company he was attached to.

March and April 1918 saw 49th Battalion Machine Gun companies fighting in various places. The

map below shows in red some of the towns and villages where they fought.

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Places highlighted in red above are mentioned in the War Diaries of 49th Battalion MGC, March

and April 1918.

26 Zonnebeke Church March 1918 Remains of the Town of Ypres Jan 1919

25 Alamy Stock photo. 26 Imperial War Museum Image Q8581

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An excerpt from the War Diary of 18th March indicates George may have been subjected to Gas

shelling and heavy artillery activity within days of returning to the front.

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On April 28th, the 49th were at Hellebast Corner (Hell Fire Corner) at Ypres – considered to be

‘the most dangerous corner on earth’.28 Hellfire Corner was an important transport hub on the

Menin road, which ran from Ypres to the frontline trenches. Situated in a particularly exposed

area, it was under constant observation by the Germans and within easy range of their guns.

Anything moving along the roads here had to run the gauntlet of shellfire. As a result, it became

notorious as ‘the most dangerous corner on Earth’ and earned its grim nickname.

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George was killed in action on Monday, 29th April 1918.

The war diaries on page 18 provide details of what was happening on 28th and 29th April - it was

noted on 29th that ‘considering the intensity of the barrage our casualties were exceedingly

light’. The casualty total that day was 6 O.R. Killed, 14 O.R. Wounded (O.R. being Other Ranks,

not Officers). It is believed that George was one of those killed.

27 Ancestry.co.uk UK,WW1 Diaries France, Belgium & Germany 1914-1920 49th Division MGC 28 https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/hellfire-corner-sign-times (National Army Museum) 29 https:/www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmediamuseum/3007981880 No copyright;

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30 Ancestry.co.uk UK,WW1 Diaries France, Belgium & Germany 1914-1920 49th Division MGC

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31

Posts in the Burton Chronicle – 1918 and 1919.

Records show that George received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. 32

31 Newspaper cuttings courtesy of The Magic Attic, Swadlincote 32 Ancestry.co.uk British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index 1914-1920

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33 Ancestry.co.uk UK WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1920 Piece 1743 Machine Gun Corps George Coulton

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After the war, a deceased soldier’s next of kin would receive any outstanding monies owed, including a War Gratuity payment from the British Government.

War gratuities were introduced in December 1918 and were paid to those men who had served in WW1 for a period of 6 months or more on Home

Service, or for any length of service overseas.

As can be seen from the ‘Soldier’s Record of Effects’ document for George, he was posthumously credited with a War Gratuity of £11, along with

outstanding pay of £9 16s 4d (assumedly unpaid wages). These funds were then paid to George’s mother Mary.

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34 Ancestry.co.uk. UK, Army Register of Soldiers Effects 1901-1920;

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The form shown below was completed for deceased soldiers, to detail all the living family

members. George’s father Alfred and mother Mary are recorded, along with his brother

Frederick and sisters Alice, Annie and Violet. Alfred, Mary and Frederick are living at the

Woodyard in Netherseal.

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George is remembered with honour at Tyne Cot Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. His

name is on Panels 154-159 and 63a.

Tyne Cot Memorial is a tribute to over 35,000 men who died between August 1917 and

November 1918.

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“No military pomp attended its birth or decease. It was not a famous regiment with glamour and

whatnot, but a great fighting corps, born for war only and not for parades. From the moment of

its formation it was kicking. It was with much sadness that I recall its disbandment in 1922; like

old soldiers it simply faded away“. So said former machine gunner George Coppard, in his epic

autobiography “With a machine gun to Cambrai”37

35 https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/841489/coulton,-george/ 36 Netherseal War Memorial photos courtesy of Jill Hempsall 37 www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/machine-gun-corps-in-the-first-world-war/

A total of 170,500 officers and men served in the

Machine Gun Corps during WW1, of which 62,049

were recorded as killed, wounded or missing.