Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Cooper, a coal miner, born 1844 in Ticknall, Derbys., and his wife Matilda Cooper, born 1843 in Ticknall, Derbys. Edward was born in 1881 in Albert Village, Leics., his siblings were, John, a labourer, born 1872 in Ticknall, Derbys., Sarah, born 1874. William, born 1879 and Herbert, born 1884, the latter three siblings were all born in Albert Village, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Albert Village, Leics. In March 1901 Edward was employed as a pipe maker and was residing in the family home at Albert Village, Leics., together with his widowed mother and siblings, John, a coal miner, Sarah, William a pipe worker and Herbert a clay worker. In April 1911 Edward was employed as a below ground clay worker and was residing in the family home at 6, Edward Street, Albert Village, Leics., together with his widowed mother and siblings, John and William, also residing with the family was his maternal aunt Letitia Boxter, born 1837 in Ticknall, Derbys.