He was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Cooper, of Burton-on-Trent, and husband of Nora Cooper, of Temperance Hotel, Ponteland.
Colin McMillan has added the following:
Walter John Cooper was born in the Jan-Feb-Mar quarter of 1892. In 1911 he was the second oldest child of 45 year old Richard Cooper, a platelayer, and 45 year old Hannah Elizabeth Cooper. John’s parents had been married 22 years and in that time had produced seven children, six of whom survived and were still living with them. Walter’s siblings were 21 year old Archibald Willie Cooper, a butcher, who, like his parents was born in Derbyshire; Walter was next, 19 years old and working as a clerk in the brewing industry. The younger siblings were Elsie Maud Cooper, 15, a tailoress; 11 year old Fred Charles Cooper and Albert James Cooper, 5, were both still at school, and the youngest child, George Leslie Cooper was only 6 months old. Walter and his younger siblings were all born in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.
There is conflicting information about his married life. One source has his wife as Nora Cooper of the Temperance Hotel, Ponteland. Another indicates that he was the dearly beloved husband of Moira Cooper and son-in-law of Mr and Mrs Geo. Walton of Pegswood.
Some time after 1911 Walter emigrated to Canada and it was with the 2nd Division Ammunition Column, Canadian Field Artillery that he was serving when he was killed in action.
Morpeth Herald 01/06/1917 carries a brief obituary:
ROLL OF HONOUR
COOPER.- Killed in action, May 29th [sic], aged 27 years, Lieut. W.J. Cooper, 2nd Canadians, dearly beloved husband of Moira Cooper, and son-in-law of Mr and Mrs Geo. Walton, Pegswood.
The Staffordshire Advertiser 02/06/1917 reportsLieut. Walter John Cooper, Canadian Ammunition Column R.F.A. who formerly lived at Ordish Street Burton has been killed in action. The deceased before emigrating was in the service of the Midland Railway Company.
The Burton Daily Mail 05/06/1917 adds:-
The War Office wire to his wife, who is now residing at Morpeth states he died May 20th.
He is not remembered on any memorial at Pegswood or Ponteland.
