Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

Pair: Private S. Couchman, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, who died of wounds on 16 March 1915, whilst serving as Batman and Orderly to Captain (later Sir Ralph) Verney

British War and Victory Medals (3710 Pte., Rif. Brig.); together with a Rifle Brigade cap badge, nearly extremely fine (3) £40-60

Sidney Couchman was born and lived at Sittingbourne, Kent. He died of wounds in France and Flanders on 16 March 1915, received at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade. He is buried at Estaires Communal Cemetery, and would additionally have been entitled to a 1914 Star.

Couchman was Batman and Orderly to Captain (later Sir Ralph) Verney who was wounded in the same action. A descendent of Captain Verney’s published a book entitled The Joyous Patriot, which includes the transcript of a short letter written by Couchman’s mother to Verney’s wife enquiring as to news of her son.