15th June 1894 - 2nd September 1918 (age 24)
Private 25517
2nd Bn. (Duke of Wellington's) West Riding Regiment
Thomas was born at New Wortley, Leeds, the youngest child of Thomas and
his wife Mary. His brother and two sisters had all been born in Sowerby,
and the family appears to have settled there. In 1911 they were at 14
Railway Terrace, Thomas was the only child left at home and gave his occupation
as a locomotive fireman, while his father was an engine driver.
At 5ft 8.5 inches tall and 36 inch chest, Thomas enlisted into the Army
at Thirsk in December 1915 and he appears to have been placed on reserve
with the Durham Light Infantry. He later transferred to the Labour Corps,
and went to France with them on 25th June 1917 transferring again in September
to the 2nd Bn. West Riding Regiment. Thomas remained in France until 17th
March 1918 when he returned to England and was admitted to Fulham Military
Hospital with lumbar pain. After nearly two months in hospital, we was
discharged on 15th May. The medical notes showed that he had complained
of pain in his back for ten months and this was much better after rest
in hospital. Three days later on 18th May 1918, at the age of 23, he married
Marion Olveus at Sowerby. Marion was also aged 23, a spinster of Sowerby,
and the daughter of a miner, Frank Olveus.
Thomas Henry Coope
On 25th July 1918, Thomas returned to France, he was killed in action
less than six weeks later. His remains lie at Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery,
plot II.B.6. This cemetery was at a field ambulance unit and includes
55 men of the 2nd Bn. West Riding Regiment.
Thomas Coope shares a grave with another soldier at Vis-En-Artois
In 1919, Marion remarried to Tom Pawlett, her address was recorded at
various times as Bateman's Yard and Royal Oak Yard, Thirsk.
The information on this page was compiled by Steve Billings.
Information about Thomas Henry Coope on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Information about Thomas Henry Coope on the War Graves Photographic Project website
Information about Thomas Henry Coope on the Yorkshire Regiment - First World War Remembrance website