Ernest Copestake
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Ernest was born in 1896 in Hyson Green and was the son of William, a postman, and Kate Copestake His father William was born in 1864 in Nottingham and his mother Kate was born in 1863 in Ashby; they were married c1886. They went on to have 4 children, sadly one died in infancy. Their surviving children were: William Edward b1887 Nottingham, Ernest b1896 Hyson Green and Leslie b1901 Basford. In the 1911 census the family are living at 56 Rawson Street, Nottingham and are shown as William 47 yrs head of the family a postman, who is living with his wife Kate 48 yrs and their children Ernest 15 yrs an assistant house painter and Leslie 10 yrs a school boy. Also living with them at the address is Herbert 45 yrs a brother to William who was working at Shipstones Brewery. Their eldest son William Edward 24 yrs has left the family home after marrying and is living at 34 Craven Street, Hyson Green with his wife Lily May 21 yrs and their son William George under 1 year of age.
Ernest Copestake enlisted in Salisbury. He gave his residence as Basford. He served at the Depot of the Duke of Edinburghs (Wiltshire) Regiment. According to his medal index card he first entered a theatre of war on 17th November 1915 in the Balkans. He died in a military hospital in England and his body was transferred to his home in Nottingham and he is buried in new Basford Cemetery (grave ref. S.5.30).
In memoriam published 18th January 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “COPESTAKE. – In loving memory of Pte. E. Copestake, died Jan. 18th, 1918. Sadly missed. – Mother, dad, Will, Lillie, Leslie.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
