Auguste Louis Coutin was born in Chambéry, Savoie, France on 7th March 1884, the son of Joseph and Joséphine Coutin. Their address was 14, Rue Croix d’Or, Chambéry the site of a café opened by Auguste's parents sometime between 1881 and 1884.

Coutin worked at one of the 2 Gatti restaurants in London. In 1904, his address was 33 (or 35) Gloucester Street, Holborn, London.

On 30th May 1905, in London, Auguste Coutin married Ernestine Fournier. Their son Robert was born on 18th October 1904) a second child, Marcelle, arrived on 10th June 1908. At this time his address was 29, Hellsley building, St. Pancras, London.

In 1911 Coutin was working on the Olympic, the same year he was widowed. His children returned to France to live with grandparents. Robert and Marcelle, aged 7 and 3, were registered at the Chambéry Town Hall on June 1911, it is possible that Coutin planned to settle down in France.

In 1912, his address was 37, Orchard Place, Southampton*. On 10th April 1912, at 6.00a.m, Auguste Coutin boarded the Titanic as an Entrée Cook with the restaurant staff. He had been chosen by Gatti for the maiden voyage of the ship.

Coutin died in the disaster, his body, if recovered, was never identified. The restaurant staff consisted of 69 people, but Maitre d' Paul Maugé was the only male survivor.

A single payment of £130 was made by the Titanic Relief Fund for the support of Auguste Coutin’s parents and children.

In the Charrière-Neuve cemetery in Chambéry lies the Coutin family grave. The epitaph reads (in translation)

"In memoriam : Auguste louis Coutin, 1884-1912, died in the Titanic disaster"