Photo: Dorothy Hall

Medal Index Card for Sapper Cooper

Thomas Edward Cooper was born in 1870 at Great Smeaton, Yorkshire. He married Elizabeth Ann, [born 17th January 1872, New Herrington], in 1892.

They had six children between them but 2 died. The eldest was Margaret Ann, born Jordan Lane, Evenwood, 31st August 1893, Frederick William Cooper, also born at Jordan Lane, Evenwood, on the 27th November 1895, he was a Tailor prior to becoming a Postman, and he married a Sarah, born 1st November 1902, [in 1939, both were residing at 34 Wright Terrace, Hetton, Durham], with two children, names unknown at this time. Frances May, born Jordan Lane, 5th May 1905 at Jordan Lane, Evenwood, Durham and Norman born 5th July 1912, who in 1939 was a General Labourer in the Public Work contractors.

Thomas was a Hewer working underground at the local Colliery.

By 1911 family were residing at 11 Garden Place, Old Penshaw, Durham, after moving from Evenwood.

Thomas enlisted into the 84th Field Company, Royal Engineers, with the rank of Sapper and the service number 66755. According to his Medal Card he was sent to Egypt on the 7th August 1915.

Thomas Edward died at Christchurch Hospital on the 13th May 1916.

In 1939 his widow, Elizabeth, who never re-married, was residing at 23 Garden Place, Hetton, Durham, with her daughter Frances May, and son Norman Cooper who was a General Labourer at a Public Works Contractor, also a Margaret Alton [Cooper], born 31st August 1893, now a Nursing Sister. Also a John G Alton was residing at this address, he was born on the 24th August 1898, a steel Mill Shearer.

Thomas Edward Cooper is remembered in Penshaw on P29.04 and at Shiney Row on S124.01

Battle Honours
84th Field Company RE.
20th Light Division
The CWGC entry for Sapper Cooper