No. 48413, Private, John William COOPER
Aged 23
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Born in Feltwell in 1896. [ Thetford Q2-1896 4B:365]. 1st son of John and Elizabeth COOPER (née DENT)
1901 census...William COOPER, aged 4, was living at 1 The Cottages, Black Dyke Road, Hockwold with his father John COOPER [27] a horseman on farm, born Feltwell; his mother Elizabeth [26] born Feltwell; brother Wilfrid [3] born Feltwell, and brother Walter [1], born Denver. 1911 census...Aged 15, living at Field Farm Cottage, Hockwold, Brandon with his parents; brothers Wilfred David, Walter Thomas, George [9] and Ronald Henry [1]; sisters Winifred Anna [8] and Mildred Elizabeth [6]. New siblings all born in Hockwold, one sibling had died. He married Maud FLACK [1-8-1895] at Mildenhall Register Office 7th September 1918 [ 4A:2134] just before posting to France. Changing his next of kin from father John to wife Maud, he gave her address as Mill Road, Lakenheath. |
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His military records give enlistment as # 48413, initially in 4th East Surrey Regiment on 9 Feb 1916. Given as Wesleyan, a horse-keeper aged 19 years 10
months. This would have been registration followed by mobilization on 28th May 1918 when his age was entered as 22 years 10 months. Posted first to
Felixstowe he embarked for France on 20th September 1918 and arrived at Etaples the next day, and was posted to the 8th Battalion, East Surreys. Wounded by shellfire in buttocks and thigh, he was admitted to No 41 CCS at Roisel where he died on 28th October 1918. His wife received an allowance of 13 shillings and 9 pence, her address being c/o Dr Pickworth, Lakenheath, where she received his personal effects of Letters, photos, mirror, cigarette case, pocket book, religious book and a purse. John's medal index card has not yet been found but his entitlement being overseas in a war zone for at least 28 days must have been the British War Medal and Victory Medal. John or William Cooper seems to be a very common name in the British Army of the time so the search will continue Commonwealth War Graves Commission has him as William John COOPER. |
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