COUSENS, Louis George
| Service Number: | Q32793 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 March 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 31 Infantry Battalion AMF |
| Born: | Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 14 December 1916 |
| Home Town: | Ingham, Hinchinbrook, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Victoria Estate near Ingham, Queensland, Australia, 1 May 1980, aged 63 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 24 Mar 1941: | Involvement Private, Q32793, 31 Infantry Battalion AMF, FTD 14/1/1942? | |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Mar 1941: | Enlisted | |
| 14 Jan 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q32793 | |
| 2 Jun 1942: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, Q32793 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Ian Cousens
Louis George Cousens was born in Townsville on 14 December 1916. He was the 5th son of Harry Richmond Cousens and his wife Sophy Amelia Meyers. Harry had served with the 4th and 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen in the Boer War.
Like his sibilings Cecil John, Harry Myers, Stanley Clifford and Lucy Amelia, Louis enlisted for service in WWII. Service number Q32793 but as his record held by the National Archives Australia are not open it is unknown which battalion he served with. The entry available on the NAA website gives his date of birth as 16 August 1916 which is incorrect.
From the 1943 electoral roll, Louis was single and a farmer of Trebonne near Ingham. By the 1949 roll he was married to Julia (nee Cook) and he was a farmer of Trebonne. He was still farming at Trebonne on the 1977 electoral roll.
Louis George Cousens died on 1 May 1980 and was buried in the Victoria Estate Cemetery which is privately maintained by Wilmar Sugar. He was interred in the European division in plot 125. His wife Julia (died 21 August 2012) and son Joseph Arthur (died 29 May 1973 aged 20) are also buried in the same cemetery.
Biography contributed by Ian Cousens
Three other relatives of Louis George served in the Australian Army.
His father's 1/s brothers Sydney Leake Cousens #5233 with the 26th Battalion was KIA on 8 August 1918 near Villers-Bretonneux and Stanley Clifford Cousens #816 with the 15th Battalion was KIA on 9 August 1916 near Mouquet Farm.
Louis' 2nd cousin Joseph Arthur Cousens #QX1766 served in Papua New Guinea in WWII and died from illness on 23 March 1943.
Biography contributed by Ian Cousens
Update to Military Service
From records held at the National Archives (item 4459287 in series B884 and item 9062812 in series J1732), Louis enlisted in the Australian citizens Military Force on 30 September 1936. When he completed a Mobilization Enrolment Form in Townsville on 14 January 1942, he was a Private in C Company 31st Battalion with service number Q32793. He was discharged on 2 June 1942 due to employment in an essential industry. Louis had completed 50 days of active service in Australia.
Louis then enlisted in the Civil Construction Corps on 25 January 1943 with service number CQ14815. He was based in Brisbane and Amberley. Louis was discharged on 17 October 1945.
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