Gustavus Coulson Explained

Gustavus Hamilton Blenkinsopp Coulson
Birth Date:1 April 1879
Birth Place:Wimbledon, England
Death Place:Lambrechtfontein, Orange Free State
Placeofburial:Lambrechtfontein
Allegiance:United Kingdom
Branch:British Army
Serviceyears:1899–1901
Rank:Lieutenant
Unit:Green Howards
The King's Own Scottish Borderers
Battles:Second Boer War
Awards:Victoria Cross
Distinguished Service Order
Mentioned in Despatches

Gustavus Hamilton Blenkinsopp Coulson, (1 April 1879 – 18 May 1901) was a British Army officer and an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces.

Early life

Coulson was born on 1 April 1879 in Wimbledon, London, and educated at Winchester College.

Military career

Coulson was 22 years old, and a lieutenant and Adjutant in the 1st Battalion, The King's Own Scottish Borderers, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place on 18 May 1901 at Lambrechtfontein, South Africa, for which he was posthumously awarded the VC:

There is a memorial to Coulson in St Peter's Church, Tiverton, Devon, and his Victoria Cross is displayed at the Regimental Museum of The Kings Own Scottish Borderers, Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland.

References