b. 1884 West Hartlepool, Durham. d. 12/04/1918 Bristol Channel.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 12/04/1918 Bristol Channel.
He was the son of Robert and Jessie Coulson and the husband of Margaret Florence (nee Burns). He joined the Mercantile Marine and lived in Hartlepool.
AM CITATION:
The KING has been graciously- pleased to make a posthumous award of the Decoration of the Albert Medal in recognition of the gallant conduct of Mr. Robert Coulson, a second engineer in the Mercantile Marine. The steamship, in which Mr. Coulson was serving was struck by a torpedo in the stokehold. The engine-room became full of escaping steam, and Mr. Coulson and the fourth engineer were seriously scalded. Instead of making for safety, however, Mr. Coulson, in spite of his injuries, carried the fourth engineer, who was in a helpless condition, up the engine-room ladders to the top platform, out of immediate danger of steam and the inrush of cwater, and he then himself became exhausted. The chief engineer, who had run to the engineroom from the bridge, assisted both the injured men out of the engine-room, and with help managed to get them into a lifeboat. After being landed they were taken to hospital, where both succumbed to their injuries.
BURIAL LOCATION: NORTH CEMETERY, HARTLEPOOL, DURHAM.
SCREEN WALL.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.