George Cope

George Cope was a career soldier. He first enlisted at Derby on 25th January 1899. At the time of his enlisting he was already a volunteer in the 4th Derbyshire Rifles. He served with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards. He saw overseas service in Gibraltar between 23rd September 1899 and 3rd November 1899 after which he returned to England. He later went out to South Africa from 18th March 1900 until 6th October 1902. He once again returned to England and on 24th January 1911 he left the military having completed 12 years service. However within a month he was back in the army. He re-enlisted in the Grenadier Guards on 23rd February 1911 for a term of 4 years. He was mobilised on 8th August 1914. He went to France on 4th January 1915 and joined his battalion on 12th January 1915. On 18th February 1916 he returned to England and the Guards Depot for discharge having completed his engagement. He later once again rejoined the military and initially served with Sherwood Foresters Regiment and later transferred to the 6th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. He was killed in Russia on 6th April 1919 and is buried in Archangel Allied Cemetery Russia, grave reference L1 .He had served for 20 years and had been awarded the South Africa Medal with 5 clasps, the 1914 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

'In Memoriam' notice published on 6th April 1920 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “COPE. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Sergt. George Cope, who was killed in Russia, April 6th, 1919. They miss him most who loved him best. – From his loving wife and children.” Obituary is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.