Corporal Harold R Couling DCM

Harold Roy Couling was parachute jump trained on Course 12 at RAF Ringway, which consisted of 7 descents. This course was made up of men from 1st Para Brigade and 1st RE Para Sqn.

It is was noted in this course notes that Harold failed this course. He did 2 balloon jumps and 3 jumps from aircraft. However he suffered a "severe cut lip" which meant he could not complete course. 

His citation for his DCM award reads as follows:

On tuesday 19 September 1944 Cpl Couling was the NCO in charge of a building housing 100 patient of a main dressing station run by 181 Air Landing Field Ambulance. On succeeding days up to 25 September the building was the centre of heavy fighting and frequent shelling. this NCO first organised a ration supply for his patients by going out between the opposing forces to collect stores from wrecked vehicles and abandoned buildings. When the civilian water supply was cut off he organised an emergency supply in a rubber dinghy and supervised the rationing. On many occasions he went to give medical aid to carry in the wounded, enemy and British alike. He organised the routine of the wards and treatment of his patients in such an efficient manner that no one could have done more for them in similar circumstances. On several days shelling and small arms fire around the building prevented the visits of MOs and Cpl Couling performed minor operations under local anaesthetics. By 25 september, 160 wounded were accommodated in his building and from 19 September until the final evacuation on 25 September only one man died there. When one room was wrecked by fire from an SP gun, this NCO rescued the patients from the debris and treated them. When injured by shell fire on 23 September Cpl Couling used an inverted floor brush as a crutch and continued in the care of his patients. Although his premises were occupied by the enemy, he made repeated journeys in the open to carry British and German casualties and to supervise the care of his ambulance transport. When all patients had been evacuated, this NCO collected all remaining rations, medical stores and equipment, organised a truck for his orderlies and rejoined his patients to continue his work in a prison hospital. Throughout the week when he was in charge of this hospital Cpl Couling showed great bravery and devotion to duty and his behaviour was in keeping with the highest traditions of his Corps.