James William Coupe

Private James William Coupe Worksop Guardian 17 March 1916 News has reached Worksop that another gallant soldier has pain the supreme sacrifice in the person of Private James William Coupe who resided at 5 Clinton Street, Worksop. Pte Coupe was among the large number of Manton colliery miners from that part of the town who enlisted. He was in khaki in the June of 1915, enlisting in the Machine Gun Section (No 50) of the Leicester Regiment. He reached France on February 8th and before he had been there a month was called upon to fill a soldier grave. The gallant soldier fought with all the pluck and courage which characterises a British Tommy, and as his Captain points out, “the company has lost a good soldier.” A shell struck his dugout which collapsed upon him, and although everything was done for him, he died on March 2nd. Up to the time of his enlistment, Pte Coup lived with Mr and Mrs Luke Wheeler at 5 Clinton Street, Worksop, being brother-in-law to Mr Heeley. Mrs Heeley and the widow of the deceased are sisters. Recently the widow and her two children went to reside in Bondhay Cottages, Whitwell, and writing to her, Capt. H W Bolton of her husband’s company says:- “Dear Madam – I regret to have to inform you that your husband Pt J W Coupe, was killed yesterday (March 2nd), through a shell piecing the dugout he was in, the dugout collapsing upon him. Everything was done to save his life, but to no avail. Please accept my sincere sympathy, and I can assure you the Company has lost a good soldier in your husband – Yours faithfully, W H Bolton, Captain.”

CWG additional information:- Son of William Coupe, of Bondhay Cottages, Whitwell, Derbyshire; husband of Gertrude Fanny Harrison (formerly Coupe), of Fir Vale. Harthill, Sheffield. Formerly 19422, Leics Regt. Remembered on the Ypres (Mennin Gate) Memorial. Research by Colin Dannatt