Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Ephraim Cooper a boot and shoe maker, born 23rd April 1854 in Enderby, Leicestershire, and his wife Elizabeth Cooper (formerly Wood, married in the 4th quarter of 1888 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 3rd April 1862 in Rothley, Leicestershire. Ephraim was born in the 2nd quarter of 1895 in Enderby, his half blood siblings were, Amos Cooper, a quarry blacksmith, born 3rd October 1882 and Edith Cooper, a stocking frame knitter, born 1885 in Enderby, his step siblings were, Florence Ada Wood, a stocking knitter, born 1883 and Sarah Jane Wood, a stocking knitter, born 1885 the latter two were both in Leicester, his full blood siblings were, Randolph, a blacksmith’s helper, born 12th May 1887, Millicent, born 1890, Hannah, born 1893, Henry, born 1898, Arthur, born 1899 and Sidney, born 1901, the latter six siblings were all born in Enderby, in March 1901 the family home was at West Street, Enderby. In April 1911 Ephraim was employed as a stone driller and was residing in the family home together with his father a boot maker, his mother and siblings, Millicent, a Griswold machinist, Hannah, a Griswold machinist, Henry, a carter’s boy, Arthur, a schoolboy, Sidney, a schoolboy, Lorna, born 1903, Jessie, born 1906 and Jack, born 1907, the latter three siblings were all born in Enderby. Ephraim’s father had previously been married to Agnes Cooper (nee Turner, married in the 4th quarter of 1876 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district) born 1856 in Nottingham, and who died aged 32 in the 2nd quarter of 1888 in the Leicester district, they had in April 1881 resided at Fair View Cottages, John Street, Enderby. Now a widower, Ephraim married Elizabeth Wood, (nee North), the widow of the late Thomas Wood, in the 4th quarter of 1888 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district. In 1939 Ephraim’s father, a retired gardener and his mother were both residing at 37, Shortridge Lane, Enderby.
Ephraim first entered the theatre of war in France on the 12th December 1914, he died in No.9 Brigade Field Ambulance on the 10th March 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 10 Mar-15 - All in position by 5.00am 10th March. At 7.30am the artillery bombardment commenced and at 7.45am “C” Company followed by “D” Company moved up by communication trench to the northern position of eastern face of PORT ARTHUR. At 8.05am “B” and “C” Companies advanced each Company having two platoons in front line closely supported by the other two platoons in 2nd line. The advance was carried out at a steady double. The first line of enemy’s trenches was carried and the advance was continued over several other enemy’s trenches and communication trenches reaching the final objective (line P.O. to road) at about 5.20am. “B” Company occupying that position of German trench extending from P to the line joining D and 5 and “C” Company on their right extending through O to the road. Two platoons from each “A” and “D” Companies had supported “B” and “C” Company in third line. The “D” Company platoons occupied the houses about D and covered “C” Company’s rear and finally moved up on “C” Company’s right joining “C” Company to road D.N. Meanwhile owing to the 1/39th edging off to their right a gap of about 200 yards of the first German trench been unaccounted for and this position was still held by Germans who moved down trench opposite our right. Two parties endeavoured to dislodge them from trench to north of wired house and from wired house opposite our right. One platoon of “D” Company from Reserve under Captain ROMILLY succeeded in bombing them back down trench eventually up to within 20 yards of wired house, here a barricade was built and with two reserve platoons of “A” Company was held until the SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS advancing from our left took the line. (The Companies in the front line at once commenced improving the German trench and reversed the parapet). About 5.00pm, the enemy endeavoured to retire north eastwards but with the 1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS attacking from the west, the 3rd LONDON REGT. from the south west and the fire of “A” Company enfilading them they raised the white flag and surrendered. About 80 prisoners were taken. About 3.40pm orders were received that the left of our advanced line was to swing round to P to connect with 2/3rd GURKHAS this had already been done. At 3.45pm information received that the DEHRA DUN Brigade was going to pass through to attack the BOIS DE BIEXZ and that GARWHAL Brigade would remain on line T.P.O. and consolidate position. At 5.15pm Front line of Indian Army Corps from left to right 2/39th – 2/3rd – 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT. – 1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS – 3rd LONDON REGT. – 1/39th – up to this hour the right flank of forward line by road had been in the air. About midnight 10th/11th March the 2/39th were withdrawn and attached to the DEHRA DUN Brigade.
The War Diary records: 11 Mar-15 - The DEHRA DUN Brigade advanced as far as the BOIS DE BIEZ but before dawn withdrew and dug themselves in. The 2/2nd GURKHAS digging a trench 100 yards in front of the 2/3rd GURKHAS trench and the 2/39th coming into that portion of our line held by “C” and ½ of “D” Companies. The trench dug by the 2/2nd made 60 yards of trench on my left, which was occupied by “B” Company and faced north, of no account as this portion of the trench flanked the line held by the 2/3rd GURKHAS. The ½ of “A” Company in front line was withdrawn to D at dusk. During the night 11th/12th March the 2/2nd GURKHAS were withdrawn and the trench was left unoccupied.
On Saturday March 27th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LEICESTERS IN THE CASUALTY LISTS. On Thursday Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Cooper, of West Street, Enderby, received a letter from the Rev. T. H. Dixon, chaplain of the Meerut Division, Indian Expeditionary Force, in France, stating:- “You will have heard by now of the death of your son, who was killed here in action on March 11th, 1915. I need hardly say how sorry I am that this trouble has come to you, I buried his body with those of two of his comrades on the 12th in a field near the drawbridge over the canal at Vielle Chapelle, not far from Bethune. A wooden cross, with his name, number and regiment stamped on zinc will be erected in a few days.” The above refers to Ephraim Cooper, jun., eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Cooper. He would have been 20 years of age at the end of this month. He joined the 1st Leicester’s January 1st 1914, but was afterwards drafted into the 2nd Battalion, and attached to the Indian Expeditionary Force.
On Friday April 16th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “HEAVY LEICESTERSHIRE CASUALTIES.” – MEN WHO FELL AT NEUVE CHAPPELLE. – OFFICIAL LISTS. – The official lists of casualties published during the past week contain the names of numerous representatives of the Leicestershire Regiment, several of whom will be recognised as belonging to Melton Mowbray and district. Reported from the base, 24th March.
The following list of casualties in the Leicester’s, reported from the Base under date March 25th, is issued:-
DIED OF WOUNDS.
Cooper (9812), Private E., Dingley (9833), Private W.