Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William West Copson, born in the 3rd quarter of 1870 in Whetstone, Leicestershire and his wife Ada Copson, born 1869 in Cosby, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Alfred William, who was born in the 2nd quarter of 1891 in Whetstone, was residing as a boarder together with his widowed, father, a shoe trade rivetter at Gumley Square, Enderby, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Alfred was employed as a quarry pumpwright and was residing in the family home at The Nook, Enderby, together with his father, a shoe trade laster and his wife Lizzie Copson (nee Smith, married in the 2nd quarter of 1901 on the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 1880 in Enderby, and his half blood siblings, Elizabeth Ann S., born 25th December 1901, John William, born 25th March 1903, Harold Arthur, born 1904, Ruth Ellen, born 9th September 1905, Belinda Mary S., born 1907, Thomas Isaac S., born 1907 and Jessie L., born 20th August 1910, all his half blood siblings were born in Enderby. Alfred’s father later resided at 8, Daniel’s Yard, Moores Lane, Enderby. In the 2nd quarter of 1913, Alfred married Lily Pollard on the 12th April 1913 in the parish church Enderby. They had two children, Alfred Arthur, born 29th October 1913 and Florence Lilian, born 13th January 1915, both children were born in Enderby, Florence died on the 15th January 1916 of acute bronchitis and convulsions. Alfred also had an older sister, Beatrice Elizabeth, born 1889 in Whetstone.
Alfred attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 26th August 1915 in Leicester. He gave his present address as Moores Lane, Enderby, his age as 24 years and 124 days and his trade or calling as a quarry man. He confirmed that he was married, and gave his wife Lily Copson of 3, Moores Lane, Enderby, Leicestershire as his next of kin.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 3½ in height, weighed 124 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 to 36 inches. His physical development was described as good
His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 10/21005 on the 26/8/15. Posted to the 10th (2nd Reserve) Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 26/8/15. Posted to Barnard Castle on the 11/9/15. Posted to Rugeley Camp on the 2/11/15. Posted to 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 16/2/16. Embarked from Devonport aboard H.T. Persic to join the British Expeditionary Force in Mesopotamia on the 17/2/16. Disembarked Basra on the 21/3/16. Joined 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 3/4/16. Killed in action, in the field on the 6/4/16.
Alfred’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
Kia 6/4/16
The War Diary records: 6 Apr-16 - The 19th and 28th Brigade’s supported by 21st Brigade were ordered to carry out a night march with the intention of attacking at dawn. The march was commenced shortly after midnight, in massed formation, 28th Brigade on right, 19th Brigade on left. Formation of 28th Brigade. Front line 51st SIKHS (FRONTIER FORCE) and Provisional Battalion OXFORD AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY, second line 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT, third line 53rd SIKHS and 56th RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE). Owing to considerable delay during the march the attacking Brigade’s were 1000 yards short of enemy’s position when it was daylight. Suddenly the enemy opened a withering fire. The first lines of the Brigade pushed forward to within 800 yards of enemy’s position until compelled to halt through very heavy casualties (our own artillery on right bank of TIGRIS being responsible for a considerable number) when they entrenched. Some 400 yards behind these another line was established and consolidated by some 200 men of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and HIGHLAND Battalion’s (1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS and BLACK WATCH of 19th Brigade), the remaining units of both Brigade’s extending in rear. Heavy fire was kept up by enemy throughout the day. At dusk the wounded and a few others of the Battalion and other units crawled back, and organised stretcher parties were sent out. The following casualties occurred, very early in the Battalion. Officers killed 2nd Lieutenant H. BILLINGS, wounded Major R. N. KNATCHBULL D.S.O., Major A. F. R. COLQUHOUN, Captain C. A. BAMFORD, Captain H. N. H. GRIMBLE, Lieutenant H. STOCKLEY, 2nd Lieutenant T. MONAGHAN, 2nd Lieutenant J. HARBOTTLE, 2nd Lieutenant H. S. ELLIS. 2nd Lieutenant B. BRAKES was wounded in the afternoon. Other ranks during the 6th April, killed 45, wounded 254, wounded but did not quit Battalion 3, missing 19. Major D. L. WEIR D.S.O. reassumed command of the Battalion on the afternoon of the 6th April.