Trafford

Born on the 1st February 1886 at Chorlton-cum-Hardy,  [during the March
quarter 1886 in the Chorlton R.D. - ref: 8c/894]  the son of James & Percy
Ann Courtman (nee Wolstencroft).      [His mother's unusual female forename
is correct]

1891 Census - 261 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester.    Son - aged: 5 -
born: Manchester.     Head of household - James Courtman - Married - aged:
39 - occ: Estate & Insurance Agent - born: Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire.  
 Also - Percy Ann Courtman - Wife - aged: 40 - born: Hollinwood,
Lancashire.   Plus 5 siblings.

Attended William Hulme Grammar School.

1901 Census - 491 Stretford Road, Stretford.     Son - aged: 15 - born:
Manchester.    Head of household - James Courtman - Married - aged: 49 -
occ: Estate Agent & Tax Collector - born: Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire.   
Also - Percy Ann Courtman - Wife - aged: 50 - born: Hollinwood, Lancashire.
  Plus 5 siblings and 1 domestic servant.

1911 Census - 562 Stretford Road, Old Trafford.     Son - Unmarried - aged:
25 - occ: Estate Agents Clerk - born: Manchester.    Head of household -
James Courtman - Married - aged: 59 - occ: Tax Collector And Estate Agent -
born: Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire.    Also - Percy Ann Courtman - Wife -
aged: 60 - born: Hollinwood, Lancashire.   Plus 4 siblings.

His MIC merely confirms his Regiment and number.

From the Museum of the Manchester's:- 
September 1917 was spent in training and providing working parties, plus a
few days in the line at the end of the month. The battalion marched to
Peronne on 2nd October, entrained for Aubigny and marched to billets at
Hauteville where training was continued. On the 16th it was back in the
front line once again 

On 22nd October the battalion was part of a major assault against the line
Aden House to Angle Point.  The first objective was reached with minor
casualties.  From this point the resistance was more stubborn and very
heavy rifle and machine-gun fire was experienced from both flanks.  So
devastating was this that all the officers, with the exception of one who
was acting as liaison officer with the 34th Division on the right, were
either killed or wounded.  It was almost the same with the NCOs and men. 
Consequently the battalion was unable to make further progress.

His younger brother - Percy Courtman, served with the 1/6th Battalion,
Manchester Rgt and was killed east of the Somme Battlefields during the
advances towards Cambrai.