Rectory Lane Cemetery, Berkhamsted

Charles George Coughtrey (737)

1887 –21/07/1940

Son of Charles and Ada Coughtrey

Relatives

Charles Coughtrey (734) — father

Ada Coughtrey — mother

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 737 Charles George Coughtrey (1887-1940)

Charles George was born 27 July 1887, the first child of Charles and Ada Coughtrey (both buried in plot 734). He was baptised 4 September 1887. His father was a labourer and also a notorious poacher. Charles George appears, from census returns, to have been known in the family as George, presumably to distinguish him from his father.

In 1891 the family were living in the High Street and his younger sister had just been born. Two more sisters and two brothers were to join the family by the time of the 1901 census when the family were recorded at 25, Gossoms End. Charles snr. was working as a sawyer.

In the 1911 census Charles George was in Manchester, listed as a “visitor” at the home of Harvey and Bella Chadwick. As Harvey was a body maker at the Manton Lane Works and the two visitors listed – Charles and another young man – were both coach body makers at the same works it seems likely that they were actually lodgers.

On 3 August 1912 Charles married Rosalind Matley at All Saints’, Newton, Manchester. Their first child, George, was born in October 1913 to be followed by Frank in May 1915.

Charles joined the Royal Navy Air Service on 28 January 1916 as an Air Mechanic. His records show that at the time he was employed as a motor coach body builder and living at 13, Estwick Street, Clayton, Manchester. The records describe him as 5’ 6” tall with brown hair and eyes.

He was promoted to Petty Officer 1 November 1917 and posted to HMS Daedalus (Royal Naval Air Station Lee-on-Solent) 1 February 1918.

The RNAS combined with the Royal Flying Corp on 1 April 1918 to form the RAF and Charles transferred to the RAF as a Sergeant Mechanic on that date. On 1 January 1919 he was “Mentioned in Despatches”, although the London Gazette recording this does not state what action of his merited this. He was posted to France until 12 January 1919 and transferred to the RAF Reserve on 10 February 1919. He was eventually discharged 20 April 1920 and the address given was 22, Adrian Street, Mosten, Manchester.

Charles was awarded the British War Medal on 22 December 1921 with the Oak Leaf clasp that showed he had been Mentioned In Dispatches.

In 1921 the family were living at 22, Adrian Street, Lightbourne, Manchester. Charles was described as a “Motor body builder. Wood & iron cars”, but he was out of work. Rosalind was employed as a waterproof garment maker.

By the time the 1939 Register was taken the family had moved to 47, Belswains Lane, Hemel Hempstead. Charles was in work again as a commercial coach builder. George was still at home and working as an engineer fitter and Frank had married and was living in Nottingham.

Charles must have been very proud when his son Frank followed him into the RAF but, tragically, Frank was killed on 31 March 1940 in France. He is commemorated here and buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille.

Charles died 21 July 1940, aged only 53, perhaps his end hastened by Frank’s loss. Rosalind returned to Manchester where she died in 1964.

Frank Coughtrey

31/05/1915 –31/03/1940

Son of Frank and Rosalind Coughtrey; joined RAF and died in France, 1940, in aircraft crash

Relatives

Frank Coughtrey — son

• Melanie Hilton

Plot 737 Frank Coughtrey (memorial)  (1917-1940)

Frank was born 31 May 1915 in Manchester, the second son of Charles George and Rosalind Coughtrey.

His father had served in the Royal Navy Air Service, and then the RAF, during the First World War and he must have been very proud of his son when he enlisted as a Corporal, air gunner with 105 Squadron, Bomber Command early in the Second World War.

Tragically Frank died 31 March 1940. He was flying in a Fairey Battle I and the records of the incident state: “Spun into the ground at Champigneul-Champagne near Epernay when control was lost during a night AA co-operation exercise.”

Frank was buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille (Plot 19. Row E. Grave 7.) The cemetery lies just to the north of Boulogne.

His father survived his loss by only a few months and is buried here.