Harold Cooper
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harold Cooper was the eldest child of Henry (known as Harry) and Jane Cooper (nee Marshall), Harold was born in Newark in 1892 possibly the end of June . Harold’s father Henry Cooper was born in East Stoke the 8th of 11 children (the 5th son) on St Valentine’s Day the 14th February 1866 and baptised in St Oswald’s church on 25 March 1866. Jane Cooper (nee Cottam) Harold’s mother was born at South Muskham and baptised at St Wilfrid’s in South Muskham on 2nd March 1862. Henry Cooper married Jane Cottam on the 30th April 1891 at a Methodist Chapel in Newark. The census of 1901 shows Harold in East Stoke aged 8 years living with his mother and father and now too with his younger siblings Charles Percy born about 1895, Ethel born about 1896, Arthur born about 1898 and Ernest born about 1900. Interestingly, also living with Harold at that time was his cousin John Robert Smith (inscribed on the World War 1 Roll of Honour in St Oswald’s as Private JR Smith – Canadians) aged 11 years and John’s sister Mary Ellen Smith aged 9 years. Harold’s mother was half sister to John Robert and Mary Ellen Smith’s mother. The census of 1911 shows Harold now employed as a ‘wagoner’ on William Willows farm in East Stoke. Harold is now be 18 years old. At some point Harold Cooper and his older cousin John Robert Smith determine to seek a new life out in Canada and therefore on 23rd May 1913 they depart Liverpool docks bound for Montreal, Quebec, Canada and a new life in Canada. It is believed that this photograph (cut from a Cooper family group photo that includes John Robert Smith his cousin on his mums side) was taken shortly before they travelled to Canada. Note: John Robert Smith was Harold’s cousin on his mums side, the two mothers were sisters. They sailed from Liverpool to Quebec on board RMS Victorian. Thirteen months after RMS Titanic had been sunk on her maiden voyage
What Harold did and or where he went in Canada is not yet known. It is probable that both he and his cousin stayed together. We know that John R Smith lived in Chatham and it is highly likely that Harold did too. It seems likely that the cousins discussed the outbreak of war and what they saw as their responsibilities. Harold elected to return home to the UK and to join the army, and set off in February 1915. As soon as 186th Canadian Infantry Battalion started recruiting John was one of the first to join and did so on the 1st Dec 1915 this was one month after Harold had already gone to France. We know that on the outbreak of war and as soon as he was able Harold set sail on the Grampian arriving in Liverpool England on 8th February 1915 from Halifax, New Brunswick, Canada. Harold enlisted into the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards on 22nd Feb 1915 just two weeks after landing at Liverpool. it was during an attack by the Guards Division on 15th/16th September 1916 during the continuing battle of the Somme that Harold was killed in action , his body was never recovered or identified and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial , Somme.
In August 1914 a Coldstream Reserve Battalion was formed at Victoria Barracks, Windsor, to train and equip drafts of officers and other ranks for battalions in the field. Reservists or recruits (who had already done their initial twelve weeks' basic drill at the Guards Depot at Caterham) arrived at Windsor for thorough training in musketry, the Lewis gun, trench warfare and bombing. From 1915 an extra four companies were formed to receive the wounded and sick after discharge from hospital. The Barracks was built for 800 all ranks, but on occasions accommodation had to be found for many times this number. Generally the system worked well and it was made easier by a conscious decision by all Foot Guards regiments that in order to maintain standards they would not expand on the scale of Line regiments. For example the Royal Fusiliers at one time had over seventy Battalions. It is highly likely given the information in in the preceding 2 paragraphs that Harold went initially to Guards Depot Caterham for his basic training and foot drill. It maybe that he did not report to Guards Depot Caterham straight away as the volume of new recruits was very high. According to his Statement of Service he was posted on the 12th Aug 1915 most likely from Caterham to (presumably) to the 5th (Reserve) Battalion at Victoria Barracks, Windsor where he would undergo all manner of military (operational) training. Having completed his military training he was posted to his battalion the 2nd Coldstream Guards. Harold was ‘Taken on Strength’ (ToS) on the 2nd November 1915 by his battalion in Flanders It is likely that Harold joined his Battalion out of line in Flanders. By this time the Guards Regiments had all been formed (an administrative term) up into the Guards Division. The Guards Division was out of the line for much of February and March 1916, but the men were kept busy with maintenance and training. Bombing drill (hand grenades) was well practised, as grenades were proving more effective in the trenches than rifles. The above information and photo are courtesy of Richard Hallam
