Cousins, Herbert Leslie
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Herbert Leslie |
Surname | Cousins |
Gender | M |
Age | 27 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 24-07-1941 |
Next of Kin | Husband of Elsie Almer Joyce Cousins (nee Becker)- known as Almer- originally of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Father to Herbert Leslie Cousins Jr. who was born after his father's death |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Hampden I |
Serial Number | AE238 |
Markings | PL- |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Illogan (St. Illogan) Churchyard |
Grave Reference | Row 1. Grave 7. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 149 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 88405 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 144 |
Trade | Navigator |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
Born 8/8/1913 in Sunderland. A Chartered Accountant in civilian life. He joined Price Waterhouse (as it was then called) in 1937 on a salary of £250 per annum. His son, Leslie Cousins Jr. also joined PWC in 1959 as an articled clerk following a letter of recommendation from his step-father to Sir Thomas Robson, the then senior partner. PWC lost 109 members of staff to both world wars, including two bearing the names Price and Waterhouse. |
Obituary taken from “The Accountant” dated 23rd August 1941: “Mr. Herbert Leslie Cousins A.C.A. was killed in a daylight raid over Germany, when he was struck by shrapnel. His ‘plane returned safely, and the RAF funeral took place in Cornwall. The Bishop of Barrow-in-Furness held a memorial service for him on Sunday, 3rd August. Born in Hong Kong, Mr. Cousins was educated at St. Bees’ School. After taking honours in both the Intermediate and Final examinations of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, he joined the London staff of Mssrs. Price, Waterhouse & Co. In the first week of the war he volunteered for service with the Royal Air Force and was called up fro duty in May, 1940. A friend writes “The untimely death of Leslie Cousins is a great blow to his many friends, both in the accountancy profession and elsewhere. Excelling in his work and in several games, he possessed those qualities of modesty and self-deprecation so dear to the hearts of true Englishmen. He leaves behind him an impression of kindness and brilliant simplicity, of an exemplary character destined for a great career, and while friends mourn his death, the loss is no less great for our country, for men like Cousins are rare”. |
A bronze plaque in the London offices of Price Waterhouse Cooper at 7 More Street bears his name. It is located at the Tooley Street entrance. |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/7876 (P360848/41) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 24-07-1941 |
End Date | 24-07-1941 |
Takeoff Station | North Luffenham |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | To attack warships in Brest harbour |
Reason for Loss | Despite a lengthy account from the pilot (P/O Harrison) in the squadron ORB, it is not entirely clear what killed the navigator. He was said to be unconscious and bleeding profusely and a while later no pulse could be detected. The account does state that the formation were engaged in 'jinking' to avoid A/A fire as they approached the French coastline, so this seems to be the most likely cause. The aircraft otherwise made a safe return to base. |