Name
William Cooper
1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
14/05/1918
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
31104
Royal Fusiliers *1
34th (County of London) Bn.
transf. to (60094) 101st Coy. Labour Corps
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MONT HUON MILITARY CEMETERY, LE TREPORT
VI. H. 7A.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
St Faith’s Church Memorial, Hexton
Pre War
William Cooper (known as Willie) was born in Hexton, Herts in 1883 , the son of James and Eliza Cooper, of Hexton, Hitchin, Herts and one of four children.
On the 1891 Census the family were living in Barton Road, Hexton, where his father was working as an agricultural labourer. His father died in 1900 aged 62 and on the 1901 Census William was living with his mother and three sisters, Maud, Polly and Lily. and older half siblings Amy, Frances and Marion Smith at one of St Albans Charity Houses (Cottage) in Hexton.
By the 1911 Census William was living in Hexton (near the pump) with his mother and sister Polly. William was working as an estate labourer and his sister was working at home as his mother was blind and unable to do any work.
Mother's address on pension records was Red Lion Cottages, Hexton, Hitchin, Herts.
Wartime Service
William enlisted on 12 December 1915 at Hitchin and joined the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. He was later transferred to the Royal Fusiliers (reg. no. 30348) on 10 April 1916 and sent to France, leaving Southampton on 7 May 1916 and arriving at Le Havre the following day. He was transferred again, a week later on 14 May 1916, to the 101st Company of the Labour Corps (reg. no. 60094).
He died of asphyxia on 14 May 1918 having been gassed the previous day and is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £9 and pay owing of £22 16s 4d. She also received a pension of 4 shillings a week.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Dunne
