Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Cope, a coal miner, born 1863 in Cannock Chase, Staffs., and his wife Maria Cope (nee Wood), born 1870 in Armitage, Staffs. Charles was born in 1891 in Armitage, Staffs., his siblings were, John, born 1889, Isabel, born 1890 and Alice, born 1895, the latter three siblings were all born in Armitage, Staffs., May, born 1898 and Francis, born 1900, the latter two siblings were both born in Hill Ridware, Staffs., in March 1901 the family home was at The Row, Mavesyn Ridware, Hill Ridware, Staffs.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday April 30th, 1915

DEATH OR VICTORY

COALVILLE SOLDIER’S THRILLING LETTER

Pte. Charles Cope, of the 1st North Staffs. Regt., writing from France to his parents at Waterworks Road, Coalville, states that he is in the best of health. He says how letters are appreciated by the soldiers at the front. They cannot write as much as they would like as the letters have to pass through the hands of the officers, but he asks his friends to “buck up” till he returns. It may be years and it may be never, but he is hoping to return some day. He goes on to relate how a mate in his regiment was killed by his side from a shell and says it was terrible, but they are Britons and don’t have to think of death. If the war is not over in about five months from now he thinks he may last years. He has had a slight wound in the leg, but nothing serious and he has now left off the bandages. He asks them not to fear for him as he is strong and can meet three Germans. He stabbed one through the heart with his bayonet, into another he put a leaden bullet and the third he met with the butt end of his gun. “We are in a happy land” he says, “amidst shot and shell. You should see them spread as we go to meet them. It is death or victory all the time.”

Coalville Times article - Friday May 7th, 1915

“COME ON YOU ENGLISH ----“

COALVILLE SOLDIERS SAYS THE GERMANS DON’T LIKE THEM

Pte. Charles Cope, of the 1st North Stafford Regiment, writing from the Front to his parents who reside in Waterworks Road, Coalville, states that he is in the best of health. It is nice to hear from home and he is always looking out for letters from his friends. “Ask Harry Darker to send a few fags and tell him to get a fat duck or an old hen or two ready for when we come home, for I don’t think the war will last much longer. Anyway, lets hope so. I should like a small packet of writing paper and a few envelopes. The weather is alright now and the trenches are nice and dry. There is not much news to tell you. I am just going into my little home in the trench now for a nap. Thanks for the Woodbines. They are half the battle nearly. The Germans keep shouting, “Come on you English d____.” They don’t like us somehow. They will smell h___ before many more days are gone.”

In another letter, Cope expresses thanks to Mrs Hale for rock and cigarettes. He also says the cake was very nice and the socks were very useful. He will want some more when they get a move on, which will not be long now if the weather keeps nice. He continues, “I don’t think it will be long now before we can get it over. I am sorry to say that Mr Gordon has had his leg off and an old pal of mine has been killed. But we are here to fight for home and beauty. Good old England for ever and not what the Kaiser said, “New Germany.” He is mad. We are happy enough here and have plenty of fun among ourselves.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 14th, 1918

LOCAL CHIT CHAT

Corporal J. Cope, son of Mr Chas. Cope, coalminer of Waterworks Road, who had been four years in India, was removed to Egypt, and thence to France. He is serving in the Staffords, and so far has not had leave. His brother, Charles, also in the Staffords, has served three years in France, was twice gassed, twice wounded, and is now in Mesopotamia.

Coalville Times article - Friday February 6th, 1920

MOTHER’S HOPE SHATTERED

Mrs Cope, wife of Mr Charles Cope, a miner, of 61, Waterworks Road, has been informed by the Lichfield Record Office, with regret, that it is concluded that her son, Private Chas. Cope, North Staffords, died on the 26th August, 1918, or since. He was reported missing on the 26th August, 1918, and the mother had not lost hope until she was officially informed on Saturday morning of the conclusion arrived at. The deceased soldier was 24 years old when he joined up on August 8th, 1914, and before enlisting was a miner, employed at Whitwick Colliery. He was wounded three times and gassed twice, and afterwards went to Mesopotamia. Another son, serving in the Machine Gun Corps, but who had also joined the Staffords, got through the war safely. Mrs Cope’s other bereavements were the loss of five nephews, and a son-in-law killed in action.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 7/10/2017