COPPING, Charles


No.203899, Private, Charles COPPING
Aged 29


1st/4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment
Died of Illness on Wednesday, 29th May 1918


Charles Copping was born in Wickhambrook (Risbridge Q3-1888 4A:617), baptised in Wickhambrook on 5th August 1888, son of Arthur and Melinda Jane COPPING (née BONNET). The family name can be COPPING or COPPIN

1891 census...Aged 2, he was at Attleton Green, Wickhambrook with his father Arthur COPPING [30] horse keeper;his mother Melinda [32]; sister Ellen Harriet[10]; brothers William [8] and Frederick S [5]. All were born in Wickhambrook.

His mother died in 1894 and father married Emily Wells (Risbridge Q4-1895)

1901 census...Aged 12, he was at The Hall Cottages, Chevington with his father, stepmother Emily [30]; brother Frederick S (stock man on farm), sister Kate [9]; brother Ernest A [9]; half sister Lillie Jane [3] and half brother Harry Victor [1].All were born in Wickhambrook.

1911 census...Aged 22, cowman on farm, he was at Almswater Cottages, Chevington with his father, stepmother; brother William (estate labourer), Frederick and Ernest (farm labourers; half brothers Harry, Alfred [8], Edward [6]and Arthur [1]; half sisters Lizy [9], Violet [4] and Florence [2]. Al the new children were born in Chevington.

He married Ethel A TURNER in 1912 (Newmarket Q4-1912). Believed to be their son, George A born 1914 (Bury St.Edmunds Q2-1914). From his Army pension records it appears they lived at Barningham Park Bardwell. Ethel later married William J.WALKER (Thetford Q4-1919) and moved to Grove Hill, Langham, Colchester.

His brother Ernest died of wounds in 1916 see here
and brother William was killed in action in 1918 see here


He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds on 1st December 1916 , giving his age as 28 years 6 months, married, yardman born Wickhambrook, living at Barningham Park, Bardwell. He was 5 feet 6 inches tall (167.6 cm), weighed 114 lbs(51.9 kg), chest 32.5" to 35.5" (82.6 to 90.2 cm), Church of England. Placed on Reserves.
Mobilised on 12th April 1917, he embarked at Southampton on 11th July 1917 for Alexandria where he arrived on 30th July. He almost immediately went down with malaria and was in hospital in Alexandria on 7th August 1917. From then on he was continually in and out of hospital with malaria until finally dying in No 47 Stationary Hospital in Gaza from malaria and cardiac failure.
His wife was awarded £1.02 per week pension for herself and one child.





photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Charles Copping is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Palestine grave 32:D:1
He is also commemorated on the Bardwell War memorial

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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