James Cowpertwaite
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
James Cowpertwaite was born in 1892 at St Ann's, Nottingham and was the son of James a joiner and pattern maker and Elizabeth Cowpertwaite née Mayfield. His father James was born in 1862 in Nottingham and his mother Elizabeth Mayfield was born in 1861 in Nottingham, they were married in 1883 in Nottingham and went on to have 5 children sadly two were to died in infancy or early childhood. Their surviving children were all born in Nottingham were Louisa b1884, William b1887 and James b1893. In 1901 they lived at 97 Pym Street Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family are living at 40 Leighton Street, Carlton Road, Nottingham and were shown as James 49 yrs a joiner, he is living with his wife Elizabeth 50 yrs and their son James 18 yrs a compositor.
Private James Cowpertwait, [1] enlisted on 20th April 1915 at Tuxford he gave his age as 22 yrs and 9 months , his address as 189 Windmill Lane, Nottingham and his occupation as that of compositor. He initially served with the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment. He later transferred to the Nottingham 40th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. He embarked from Devonport on 8th February 1917 and disembarked at Basra on 19th May 1917. He was admitted to hospital on 21st July 1917 with heat stroke and died on 22nd July 1917 at 19th Casualty Clearing Station Khad Jeddah, Mesopotamia. He is buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery. Grave Reference: XIX J 8 [1] The Commonwealth War Graves Commission gives his name as 'Cowpertwaite'
Possessions returned to his family were: 2 id discs, diary, prayer book, leather wallet, packet of photos, gun metal cigarette case, soap dish, purse on a chain, gun metal watch, 2 razors (broken) He was born J/A/S/1892 so may have been 25 at death. He is cited as Cowpertwait (Free BMD) and Cowperthwaite (CWGC). His mother signed E Cowpertwaite in receipt of his personal effects. Death notice published 1st August 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- COWPERTWAIT. – Died from heat stroke on active service, Private James Cowpertwait, R.A.M.C., dearly beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Cowpertwait, 189, Windmill-lane, aged 24. He left his home in perfect health, he looked so young and brave, we little thought when he left home he never would return again. – From his sorrowing father, mother, sister, and brother. “COWPERTWAIT. – Died from heat stroke on active service, July 22nd, 1917, Private Jim Cowpertwait. He who loved me so well in life, I dearly love in death. – Jess.” In memoriam published 22nd July 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “COWPERTWAIT. – In ever-loving memory of Pte. James Cowpertwait, died July 22nd, 1917. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. – Mother, father, sister, brother, and sister-in-law. “COWPERTWAIT. – In honoured memory of Jim died Mespotamia July 22nd, 1917. One of the very best. – Jess Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
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