George Henry Holbeche Couchman

George Henry Holbeche Couchman was the son of Colonel E H Couchman, RA. He was commissioned in the 13th Foot [later the Somerset Light Infantry] on 11 May 1878. His pre-war career was dominated by service in Burma. He took part in the Burmese expeditions of 1885, 1886 and 1887, in which he was twice mentioned in despatches, and served there again in 1891–2. He was awarded the DSO in 1887. Couchman was also DAQMG Burma from 1892 until 1898. He followed this with stints as A/AAG Bengal (June 1900–June 1901) and AAG India (June 1901–May 1902). He commanded 2nd Battalion Somerset Light Infantry for the standard four-year tour from April 1906 until April 1910.

After a short spell on half-pay (April–June 1910) Couchman became Commander of the South West Infantry Brigade, part of the new Territorial Force. He remained in command until his retirement on 7 January 1914. Couchman was a supporter of the Ulster cause and when the European War broke out he was the Ulster Volunteer Force commander in Belfast. When the leader of the UVF, Sir Edward Carson, agreed to make his forces available to the government – as the 36th (Ulster) Division – Couchman was given a brigade, 107th (1st Ulster).

36th Division deployed to France in September 1915. Couchman was removed from command of his brigade on 20 October, eleven days after completing its concentration on the Western Front. His removal was one of the first acts of the division’s new commander, Oliver Nugent, who was determined to ‘depoliticise’ the formation. Couchman was later Area Commandant, BEF (March 1917–March 1919).