138522 Private George Couperthwaite was born July 18th, 1892, in Markham, Ontario. He was the son of John and Sarah Ann (Bell) Couperthwaite. George was 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighed 140 pounds. He was single before he enlisted in Toronto, Ontario.

George lived with his parents on the family farm where he worked. He also took a strong interest in plowing, always taking the first prize. George attended the Wesleyan Church in Milliken, Ontario.

When George was 23 years old, he enlisted with the 75th Battalion in Toronto, Ontario. George enlisted on 30 Jul 1915. He trained at Niagara Camp over that summer, then was brought to the exhibition camp in Toronto with his battalion. He arrived in Liverpool, England, boarding the S.S. Empress of Britain from Halifax on the 9th of April, 1916. George was given leave to visit relatives in Manchester Castle, Ravenglass. George then trained with the 75th battalion at Bramshott and Aldershot camps over the course of one month. While at Aldershot, George was hospitalized with rubella from May 10th to 24th, 1916. Soon after, he earned the active rank of Private.

As a result of heavy casualties, George would be transferred to the 3rd Battalion, going into the trenches in France. He would join the 3rd on the field on 19 June 1916. The 3rd Battalion was part of the 1st Infantry Brigade of the 1st Canadian Division. On 8 September, George sustained a shrapnel wound on his left arm and shoulder during the famous Somme Battle and spent 14 days in a Boulogne hospital. Although injured, he described it as a mere scratch. His Division’s Captain described him as a true soldier who always served with such loyal devotion.

George’s brother, Carleton, was serving in France as well with the No. 2 Construction Battalion, and although it was their wish to meet in France, they never had the chance to do so.

George’s battalion took an honourable part in the capture of Vimy Ridge. At Vimy, two battalions of the 1st Brigade made the initial attack, and the other two battalions advancing immediately after were given a set of objectives beyond those captured in the first advance. The 3rd Battalion was in the second grouping. It is reported that it reached all of its objectives and pushed half a mile beyond.

George’s battalion paraded at 8.50 am, 8 April, for a Divine Service on the battalion parade ground 200 yards South of Cambligneul, with Captain Archer taking the service. After the service, Lieutenant-Colonel J.B. Rogers addressed the Battalion, stating that we had one of the most difficult feats to perform and had been given the honoured position of the right of the Canadian Corps, and he had every confidence that the battalions’ work would be as gallant and steady in the attack and as firm in holding and consolidating, as ever.

At 12.15 pm, the first company of the battalion, ”A” Company, moved off via CAMBLAIN L’ ABBE, to the Brigade Assembly Area, and stored packs in the Divisional Pack Shelter. A hot meal was served to the men at 5 pm. The spirits of all ranks was magnificent. The battalions of the brigade started to move to their respective Assembly Areas at 8 pm, the battalions moving in the following order:
1st, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd. George was with the 3rd.

The Battle of Vimy Ridge took place on April 9th, 1917. The 3rd Battalion was on the extreme right of the Canadian Corps and so had the longest distance to go. Nevertheless, it took its first objective on time and captured four guns, the first to be taken by Canadians. 179 men died from their brigade that day, but George would move on.

The next morning, at 5am, the battalion was ordered to recommence its attacks on the eastern edges of Farbus Wood. Orders soon came to move out of Wood due to the heavy shelling of the enemy, with large numbers of Germans starting to surround them. During this time, George Couperthwaite was killed in action on the field by heavy shelling from the Germans.

A memorial service was held in Milliken, Ontario, at the Ebenezer Methodist Church. The church was well filled and George was well honoured for his sacrifice for his country at Vimy Ridge. George was the first casualty from the war among those who attended this Methodist church.

PrivateGeorge Couperthwaite is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial in France. He was 24 years old when he died 0n April 10th, 1917. He was survived by his parents, four sisters and five brothers.