Name
George Ernest Cooper
1882
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/09/1918
36 years
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
TF/203830
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
23rd Battalion.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 113-115
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, Welwyn Garden City Memorial, Hatfield Hyde Village Memorial. St. Mary Magdalene, Church Memorial, Hatfield Hyde. Not listed on the Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford.
Pre War
George Ernest Cooper was born in 1882 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, the son of George Cooper, a Labourer, (b 1855 in Hatfield) and Elizabeth Ann Cooper (nee Waller) (b 1853 in Hertfordshire). George was baptised in the Parish of Bishops Hatfield on 7th May 1882.
The 1891 Census records George aged 9, living with his parents, sisters Elizabeth 13, Alice 6, brothers Noah 3 and Harry 1, in Ranters Row, Hatfield. His father was recorded as a publican at The Woodman)..
The 1901 Census records the family were still at The Woodman Public House, in Hatfield Hyde where his father was the Publican.
His mother died in 1907 and by the time of the 1911 Census, George was working as a Domestic Footman to Lord & Lady Mountstephen at 17 Carlton House Terrace, St Martin in the Field, London.
George Ernest Cooper was age 37yrs 7mth when he enlisted in Devizes on 16th October 1916, probably called up through conscription. According to his papers he had previously been rejected for service. He was employed as an indoor servant. His father confirmed as George Cooper of “The Woodman” Hatfield Hyde. The papers also suggest some previous experience with the Bedfordshire Regiment.
His mother died in 1907 and by the time of the 1911 Census, George was working as a Domestic Footman to Lord & Lady Mountstephen at 17 Carlton House Terrace, St Martin in the Field, London.
Wartime Service
George was posted to the 1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment with service No. 10034.
George Ernest was on home service from 16th October 1916 to 18th September 1917. He embarked at Folkstone for France 19th September 1917 and arrived at Boulogne the same day. He was transferred to the 23rd Middlesex Regt. on 27th September 1917 and joined his new battalion on the following day.
On 15th November 1917 he left France for Italy arriving there 22st. He suffered a bout of Diarrhoea between January 12th and the 19th in 1918 and returned to France on the 8th March 1918.
He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal in May 1918 before being wounded in action 6th August 1918 and recovered, only to be killed in action on 29th September 1918.
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of November 1918, recorded: “The Hyde whose percentage of losses is unusually high has lost Lance Corporal George Cooper, Middlesex Regiment and much sympathy goes out to Mr Cooper of “The Woodman”, in the loss of his last son – truly we owe much to one who has given so much.”
Awarded the Victory Medal & British War Medal.
Additional Information
His effects including a wallet, photo case and notebook were returned to his father on 22nd April 1919 and later he received a war gratuity of £9 and pay owing of £9 18s 6d.
His younger brother Frederick Charles Cooper, who served with the Hertfordshire Regiment, was killed in action on 30 March 1918. He also has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mr Cooper (Father) of the Woodman P.H. Hatfield Hyde received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne, Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer, Stuart Osborne, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
