Alfred George Cooper

His army service record survives. He was attached to the 29th Bn (Reserve Bn) Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). He enlisted in the Territorial Force (Imperial Service), 7th Reserve Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). His age at enlistment was 27 years 9 months (birth year abt 1887). Address: 51 Bunbury Street, Nottingham. He was posted to the battalion from Ireland, joining on 18 August 1916. He was billeted at Kirby Cross (Essex). He died on 25 September and an inquest was held on 27 September when it was recorded that he died of natural causes (heart failure due to heart disease). He served for 22 months. He was not listed on CWGC's Great War 'debt of honour' and his name was submitted to the CWGC 'In From the Cold' project. He is now commemorated in the United Kingdom Book of Remembrance. Letter dated 27 September 1916 from ‘C Coy, 29th Prov. Btn, Kirkby-le-Soken, to Capt PB Coles, Adjutant, 29th Prov Battn, Walton on Naze. I have the honour to submit the following report of the circumstances attending the death of No. 3228 Pt. Cooper AJ, of the 7th N&D together with a summary of the evidence given by the witnesses attending the Inquest which was held in the Kirkby-le-Soken Sunday Schools at 2.30pm on the 27th inst. It appeared that the deceased had appeared before the Travelling Medical Board on the morning of the day of his death, which occurred at 3.25pm on Monday the 25th instant. He was proceeding from Kirby Cross, where he was billeted, to the Company Headquarters, accompanied by Privates Jackson No 3832, and Newton J No 50299. The three men were detailed for guard mounting at 4pm and were fully equipped at the time, carrying their packs and rifles. When near the Kirby Councl school the deceased fell forward on his face, the two men turned him over and found him unconscious. Pte Newton went in to the school for some water whilst Jackson remained with the man. Dr Bell of Frinton, who was in the vicinity, was summoned but the man died before the Doctor arrived. The Company Sergeant Major was sent for, and he at once informed the Civil Police, and at the same time, the Medical Officer, Capt. Chauncy. First witness called was CSM Wain, who identified the body as that of Pte AJ Cooper No 3228. Second witness, Pte Newton, stated that he and Private Jackson accompanied the deceased for the purpose of guard mounting. The latter had spoken very little the whole of the time, and when near the Council School fell over on his face. The men at once turned Cooper over and finding him unconscious took off his equipment and loosed his tunic. The witness then went into the school for some water, and at the same time apprised the schoolmaster, who sent for Dr Bell. Witness returned to the deceased when Jackson remarked that he thought the man was dead. When the doctor arrived he pronounced life extinct. Pte Jackson gave similar evidence, adding that he thought that the deceased had tripped over a stone, but in turning him over found there was no stone under him. Dr Bell, who next gave evidence, stated that he had been called to the man, but on arriving at the place where he was, found him dead. He held a post-mortem examination on the remains on Tuesday the 26th inst, but found nothing abnormal except that the kidneys were rather large and fatty, and that his heart was large, weighing about 16 ounces. He attributed the death to heart failure, following on heart disease. Police Constable gave evidence of being summoned to the spot, and also to the disposition of the body which was placed in the out-building of a farm nearby. Lieut Cullwick gave the military history of the man as far as we had the record stating that the man had been enlisted 22 months and had been posted to us on the 18th August 1916 from Ireland. He had never reported sick whilst with this Company and had been before the Travelling Medical board on the morning of the day of his death. The Medical Officer, Dr Chauncy, also gave evidence of the man coming before the Board. A considerable amount of criticism was made by the Jury of the fact that the man had been medically examined by the Board without the latter finding out that he suffered with heart disease. The Jury unanimously decided that death was due to natural causes having been caused by heart failure following on heart disease. I have the honour, Sir, to be your obedient servant, Signed PF Mason, Capt, OC ‘C’ Company, 29th Prov. Battn

'Men from St Saviours/Parish who served in/Great War 1914-18' (Nottinghamshire Archives ref PR 20,038). The book contains names recommended for the parish war memorial at St Saviour's church: 'COOPER Alfred Geo. Private, 14 Woodward Street, 2/7th Sherwood Foresters, killed (sic) 25 September 1916'