Gabriel Georges Coury VC (13 June 1896 – 2 February 1956), was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
For most conspicuous bravery. During an advance he was in command of two platoons ordered to dig a communication trench from the firing line to the position won. By his fine example and utter contempt of danger he kept up the spirits of his men and completed his task under intense fire. Later, after his battalion had suffered severe casualties and the Commanding Officer had been wounded, he went out in front of the advanced position in broad daylight and in full view of the enemy found his Commanding Officer, and brought him back to the new advanced trench over ground swept by machine-gun fire. He not only carried out his original tasks and saved his Commanding Officer, but also assisted in rallying the attacking troops when they were shaken and in leading them forward.[3]
Royal Flying Corps
On 15 November 1916, Coury was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps as a flying officer (observer). He was appointed a flying officer on 20 September 1917, although his seniority was dated from 28 August 1917.[citation needed]
On 1 April 1918, Coury was transferred to the Royal Air Force on its establishment, and he subsequently transferred to the RAF Administrative Branch on 20 September 1918. On 30 September 1918, Coury was promoted to temporary captain in the Medical section of the Administrative Branch. He mustered out as a captain when the war ended.[citation needed]
Coury married Katherine 'Kitty' Mary Christina (née Lovell) on 7 January 1918 in St Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Clapham, London. Katherine was a volunteer with a medical/welfare group during the First World War.[4]
The couple had three daughters: Joan Marie Louise Coury, Carmen Katherine Mary Coury and Margaret Mary Coury.[5]
^"For Valour - The Victoria Cross". lancashireinfantrymuseum.org.uk. Lancashire Infantry Museum. Retrieved 17 June 2024. Gabriel Coury was born on 13 June 1896, in Croxteth, Liverpool. He was the second son of four, and two daughters, born to a wealthy Armenian-Lebanese father and a French mother. He was educated at St Francis Xavier's School, Liverpool, and Stonyhurst College, Lancashire, where he excelled at sport and also served for four years in the College's Officer Training Corps.
