Couchman | George Henry Holbeche | | Captain | COUCHMAN, GEORGE HENRY HOLBECHE, Captain, was born 7 December 1859, son of Colonel E H Couchman, RA, and Mrs Couchman (nee Whitlock), daughter of Sir George Cornish Whitlock, KCB. He was educated at Haileybury College, and joined the 13th Foot 11 May 1878, and became Lieutenant, Somerset Light Infantry, 20 March 1880, and Captain 1 August 1886. He served in Burma, 1885-6-7; was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 22 June 1886, and 2 September 1887]; received the Medal with clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 25 November 1887]: "George Henry Holbeche Couchman, Captain, Somersetshire Light Infantry. For services in Burma". He served again in Burma, 1891-92, taking part in the operations of the North-Eastern Column. He became Major 9 March 1898, and was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 5 October 1898. He commanded the 2nd Battalion Somersetshire Light Infantry, 1906-10. He was DAQMG for Intelligence, Burma, 1892-98, and AAG, India, 1900-1902; was given the Brevet of Colonel 10 February 1904. He commanded the South-Western Infantry Brigade from 1910 to 1914. He retired in January 1914; commanded 107th Infantry Brigade, September 1914 to October 1915, and was Area Commandant, British Expeditionary Force, 1917-18-19. He married, in 1899, Helen Mary, daughter of Richard S Chattock, of Newbury. He was also awarded RHS Bronze Medal for saving life in 1897.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | (Prince Albert's) Somerset Light Infantry |