Gabriel Coury

Gabriel George 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.

Early years
Born on 13 June 1896 in Liverpool to an Armenian father and French mother, he was educated at Stonyhurst College from 1907 to 1913. He worked as an apprentice in a cotton brokerage when the war broke out. Coury volunteered to join Kitchener's New Army in 1914.

Victoria Cross
While he was a second lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, The South Lancashire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Volunteers), he performed deeds on 8 August 1916, near Arrow Head Copse, France for which he was awarded the VC. His actions also earned him a promotion to full lieutenant.

Citation
"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."

Royal Flying Corps
On 15 November 1916, Lieutenant 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.

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.

Post war
After the war, he returned to his old firm as a cotton broker. When World War II broke out, Coury joined the Royal Army Service Corps and participated in the Normandy Landings.

Legacy
Coury is honoured in a memorial which can be found in the main hall of his former school, St. Francis Xavier College, Liverpool. The current school site is on Beaconsfield Road, Liverpool. His VC is on display at the Lancashire Infantry Museum at Fulwood Barracks in Preston, Lancashire.