Harry Cope
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harry was the youngest child of William and Ann Cope (née Peacock). His father William was born in Kings Ripton, Huntingdonshire, and his mother Ann in Huntingdon. They were married in Huntingdon, probably Kings Ripton, in October 1869, and had at least eight children, the eldest, Joseph, born in Kings Ripton and the others in Mansfield Woodhouse. Joseph was baptised in Kings Ripton and with the exceptino of Harry his siblings were baptised at Mansfield Woodhouse St Edmund King & Martyr: Joseph b. 1873, Sarah Ann b. 1874, John W. (Jack) b. 1876, Florence b. 1877, Charlotte (Lottie) b. 1880, William b. 1882, Charles b. 1884 and Harry b. abt. 1887. In 1881 William, a collier, and Ann were living on Needs Lane, Mansfield Woodhouse, with their children Joseph (8), Sarah (6), John (4), Florence (3) and Lottie (under 1 year). The next three children were born between 1882 and 1887. Ann probably died in 1890 and in 1891 William was living on Castle Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, with seven of their eight children: Sarah, a cotton spinner, John a coal miner, Florence, Lottie, William (9), Charles (7) and Harry (4). Joseph has not yet been traced on either the 1891 or 1901 Census. William snr. was still living at the same address in 1901 but only John, Lottie, William a coal miner, and Harry, an errand boy, were in the home on the night of the census. Charles, a coal carter, was also living in Mansfield Woodhouse, a boarder in the household of Henry and Eliza Limb one of whose sons was a coal miner and dealer. The older daughters were probably married. Charles enlisted in the Militia (4th Bn Sherwood Foresters, 9379 Private) in December 1902. He was 18 years 1 month and working as a collier at Warsop Main Colliery. He named his father, William, and brother Harry of 16 Castle Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, as his next of kin. He served to February 1904 when he was discharged by purchase. William snr. may have died by 1911 as his son Joseph, a colliery surface banksman, was living at 16 Castle Street and head of household. Also in the home were his brothers Harry, a general labourer (cotton manufacturer), and Jack, a coal miner.
9th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) Harry Cope was killed in action on 4 October 1917 in the attack on Ferdan House on the outskirts of Poelcappelle, Belgium. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Mansfield Reporter, 23 November 1917: ‘Local Casualties. Missing. Sherwood Foresters: H Cope 31822 Mansfield Woodhouse.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Mansfield Reporter, 30 August 1918: ‘Mansfield Woodhouse. Memorial Service. The doleful muffled peal of the church bells on Sunday [25 August] was another reminder that more of our brave Woodhouse boys have made the supreme sacrifice in the war. The service was in memory of Private (sic) Claude Cowpe, Private Harry Cope and Private Walter Cooper, and was conducted by the Rev. J Redfern.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: 92222 Private Walter Cooper East Yorks Regiment, 2 August 1918 and 60662 L/Cpl Claude Cowpe 15th Bn Sherwood Foresters, 17 July 1918. (See records on this Roll of Honour)
