Cecil Davey Cooper
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Younger son of Alfred James and Fanny Phoebe Cooper, of Castle Rising, The Park, Nottingham; husband of Muriel Cooper (CWGC). Alfred James was a lace manufacturer and in 1891 he and his wife were living at 2 Dale Street, Sneinton, with their three children, Constance Mary (8, b. 1882, Old Sneinton), John Alfred (6, b. 1884, Old Sneinton) and Cecil Davey (1, b. 1889, Old Sneinton); the household included a housemaid. The family was still living at the same address at the time of the next census (1901) although Alfred now employed two servants, a cook and a housemaid. By 1911 the family was living at Clare Valley Lodge, The Park, Nottingham; the family still employed a cook and a housemaid. Cecil married Muriel (nee Holbrook) in 1916; according to the probate record (May 1918) she was living in the Cooper's family home, Clare Valley Lodge. His father died on 19 May 1930 age 77, his mother on 1 September 1956 in her 106th year, John Alfred in 1973 and Constance Mary in 1966.
He joined as a volunteer cavalry officer 15th Hussars and the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, Second Lieutenant Inns of Court OTC. UKSDGW records that he was in the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line, 3rd Reserve Regiment of Cavalry Bn, attd. 6th Wiltshire Regiment. He died of wounds received in action on Welsh Ridge and is buried in Neuville-Bourjonval British Cemetery (grave ref C.11). The original battlefield cross, formerly in St James church (demolished), is now in Nottingham St Peter (WMA38839).
Family memorial (WMA 27422): elaborate monument in pinkish Tuscan and white Carrara marble with green malachite or serpentine insets. There is a cameo of the badge of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry: Prince of Wales feathers and the motto, ‘Ich Dien’, on a blue background (WMA). Inscription: 'In memory of Cecil Davey Cooper ACA, 2nd Lieut, Inns of Court Officers Training Corps, 15th (The King’s) Hussars and Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, the dearly beloved younger son of Alfred J and Fanny P Cooper of this parish. He was mortally wounded on Welsh Ridge and died 29th January 1918, aged 28 years. This body rests in the English Military Cemetery of Neuville-Bourjonval, France. ‘Deo Patria Rege. Let those who come after see to it that his name is not forgotten’. The memorial, formerly in St James' church (demolished), is now in Nottingham St Peter's with St James.Nottingham Post obituary (abridged) 4 February 1918. Cooper, died of wounds, January 29th, Second Lieutenant C Davey Cooper, Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, age 28, younger son of Mr and Mrs Alfred J Cooper, Clare Valley Lodge, The Park, Nottingham, and husband of Muriel Cooper. Nottingham Evening Post, 4 February 1918: ‘Died of Wounds. Lieut. CD Cooper. The death is announced from wounds, on January 2-th of Second-Lieut. C Davey Cooper, the younger son of Mr and Mrs Alfred J. Cooper of Clare-valley Lodge, The Park, Nottingham. The deceased officer, who was 28 years of age, was given his commission in a reserve regiment of cavalry in December, 1916, and had been attached to the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)Nottinghamshire Archives (ref PR 9915, Acc 873): Photograph of the grave of Second Lieutenant CD Cooper, 6th Bn Wiltshire Regiment, KIA 29 January 1918, buried in British Cemetery of Neuville Bourjonval, France, sent by Director General of Grave Registrations and Enquiries of War Office. Not dated c1918.Family grave in Nottingham Southern Cemetery, Wilford Hill: '(Alfred James and Fanny Phoebe Cooper) In loving memory of their younger son, Cecil Davey Cooper ACA, 2nd Lieut Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, killed in action 29th January 1918, aged 28 years. Interred Neuville Bourjonval, France.' The gravestone has the 'dead man's penny' inserted alongside the dedication to Cecil.Probate: Cooper Cecil Davey of Clare Valley Lodge, The Park, Nottingham, second-lieutenant in HM Army died 29 January 1918 in France. Administration Nottingham 14 May to Muriel Cooper widow. Effects £1,034 5s 8d.
