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 maltster, born 1856 in South Witham, Lincolnshire and his wife Julia Young Cooper (nee Coverley, married on the 25th June 1883 in Spittlegate, Grantham, Lincolnshire), born 1867 in Burton Coggles, Lincolnshire. Joseph was born in the 4th quarter of 1889 in Grantham, Lincolnshire, his siblings were, Esther, a schoolgirl, born 1885, Elsie, a schoolgirl, born 1887 and Nellie, born 1889, all his siblings were born in Grantham, in April 1891 the family home was at 38, Inner Street, Spittlegate, Grantham. In March 1901 Joseph was residing in the family home at 2, Malt Hill, Little Gonerby, Lincolnshire, together with his father, a maltster’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Elsie, Nellie, Alice, born 1894, Lucy Jane, born 1895, Sydney, born 1897, Florrie Patience, born 1899 and William, born 1900, the latter five siblings were all born in Grantham. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a brewer’s labourer, and was residing in the family home at Three Crowns Yard, Sherrard Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his father, a brewer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Alice, a wool mill worker, Lucy, a wool spinner, Sydney a grocer’s errand boy, Florrie, a schoolgirl, William, a schoolboy, Charles, a schoolboy, born 1901 in Grantham, Winifred, a schoolgirl born 1904 and George Henry, born 1911, the latter two siblings were both born in Melton Mowbray. Joseph first entered the theatre of war in France on the 29th December 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 21 Mar-1918 - On the morning of the 21st March 1918 the disposition of the Battalion was as follows:- “A” Company front right Company, “B” Company left front Company, “C” Company Battalion Reserve/Counter attack Company, “D” Company garrison of PEIZIERE. The 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were on our right and the 12th/13th NORTHUMBERLAND FUSILIERS (62nd Infantry Brigade) on our left. 2 Tanks were in reserve at Battalion Headquarters.
At 4.30 am the enemy put down a heavy barrage gas shell bombardment of phosgene and mustard gas on the whole Battalion area and on the gas position in rear. This gradually developed into heavy concentrations of high explosive and shrapnel on the whole of our defences. The bombardment lasted until about 9.30 am. Most of the wire in front of our position front line was destroyed but the wire in front of FIR SUPPORT and the RED LINE was left nearly intact under cover of a very thick mist combined with smoke and dust from bursting shells the enemy was able to cross ‘no man’s land’ without being observed. About 9.30 am the enemy entered PLANE TRENCH and 2nd Lieutenant JAREY who was officer commanding of the observation party left in that trench had only just time to give the S.O.S. signal before the enemy reached him.
10.00 am. The enemy had apparently broken through the front lines of the Battalion on our left and at this hour small parties attacked the northern post MCPHEE and PEIZIERE and got into the RAILWAY CUTTING behind the RED LINE. The detached position of MCPHEE POST was captured about 6 men taken prisoners. At about this hour “C” Company and the Tank were ordered to counter attack and clear PEIZIERE up to the RAILWAY CUTTING. The Tanks proceeded round the northern end of the village and “C” Company by the two roads running north east and east from MCLEAN POST. The village was easily cleared. The enemy retiring from the village and cutting on the approach of the Tanks. One of the men taken prisoner in MCPHEE POST rejoined the Battalion.
11.00 am. On receipt of information that the village was clear “C” Company and the Tanks were withdrawn to their original positions. During the whole of the day the enemy made many futile attacks from the North East on the FIR SUPPORT and the RED LINE attempting to bomb down the latter from new SQUASH TRENCH which he had entered early in the attack. The defence of FIR SUPPORT was conducted by 2nd Lieutenant WRIGHT with about 20 men against numerous bombing attacks in one of which flammenwerfer were used but these were stopped on our wire by rifle fire and the cylinders catching alight the enemy were burnt with their own weapons. Good work was done by the whole of this platoon and particularly by Private HICKIN who on 2 or 3 occasions walked along the parapet firing a Lewis Gun from his hip at the enemy concentrating in the trenches on the flanks. Private HICKIN was eventually killed in making one of these attacks. This platoon held out until dark when with only 6 men left it was ordered to fall back on the RED LINE. In the afternoon the enemy could be seen massing just South of VAUCELLETTE FARM and in LINNET and THRUSH VALLEYS and the large bodies were advancing up ANDREW STREET and LEITH WALK.
5.00 pm. The two Tanks were ordered up to the bridge and scattered the enemy massing in ANDREW STREET.
6.00 pm. The enemy continued to make progress Southwards from VAUCELLETTE FARM and small parties were getting into PEIZIERE. The counter attack Company and the two Tanks were ordered to clear the village. The Tanks and two platoons moving round the Northern outskirts and 2 platoons by road running North East from MCLEAN POST. The village was cleared by 8.00 pm and 5 prisoners sent back. As the left flank of the RED LINE seemed insecure 2 platoons from the counter attack Company were ordered to make a defensive flank facing North from the RAILWAY CUTTING to MCPHEE POST this flank was prolonged by a party of 1 officer and 14 other ranks from Battalion Headquarters which occupied a trench at the junction of the sunken road just north of Battalion Headquarters the remainder of the counter attack Company concentrated at MCLEAN POST. Battalion Headquarters was established in YELLOW LINE. The enemy did not attack during the night. Touch was kept the whole of the day with the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT on our right, but there was a serious gap on the left until about 12 midnight when connection was obtained with the 15th DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY on our left in the YELLOW LINE.
On Friday April 26th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOSSES IN THE BIG BATTLES. – HEAVY MELTON CASUALTIES. – LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. – Official reports which have come to hand during the past week show that heavy casualties have been sustained amongst the Melton lads during the recent great German offensives. Quite a number of local soldiers have lost their lives, and the utmost sympathy will be extended to the bereaved relatives and friends. It is obviously impossible for us to ascertain all the local casualties which have been notified, and we shall esteem it a favour if our readers will acquaint us as early as possible after receiving information concerning the fate of their relatives at the front. Many rumours have been widely circulated which, upon inquiry, have proved unfounded, but quite a number of wives and parents are experiencing considerable anxiety because they have not heard from their husbands and sons for several weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. William Cooper, Three Crown Yard, Sherrard-street, Melton Mowbray, received official notification on Saturday afternoon that their eldest son, Pte. Joseph Cooper, Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on March 21st. A day or two earlier the sad news had reached them through a letter which Pte. Veasey, a stretcher bearer in the same regiment sent to his sister, stating that Pte. Cooper had lost his life in the great battle which was being waged in Flanders. Deceased who was 28 years of age, joined up nearly three years ago, and had been out at the front over two years. He was wounded in the arms last July, and after being for some time in hospital at Southport recently came home on leave before going out to the front again. Before enlistment he worked for Messrs. Adcock, Pacey and Co., brewers, where his father is also employed. His brother Sidney is in the Leicester’s, and his youngest brother William, in the Navy, while his father has been a member of the local detachment of the Leicestershire Volunteers since its formation. And in the same issue under the heading, “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. – COOPER. – In ever loving memory of Joseph, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Cooper, 1, Three Crown’s Yard, Sherrard Street, Melton Mowbray, killed in action March 21st, 1918, aged 28 years.
He fought for his King and country
A noble death to die
Fighting for us and for freedom
At the cost of his own dear life
But it’s sweet to think we’ll meet again
When all our parting’s o’er
That our dear boy we loved so well
Has only gone before
God give him eternal rest.
COOPER. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Pte. Joseph Cooper, Leicester’s, who was killed in action March 21st, 1918, aged 28 years.
Peace be your rest dear Joe
Tis sweet to breathe your name
In life we loved you dear
In death we do the same
We cannot, Lord thy purpose see
But all is well that’s done by Thee
From all his sorrowing Brothers and Sisters.
On Friday May 10th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – THANKS. – Mr. and Mrs. Cooper and family, the Three Crown’s Yard, Sherrard-street, Melton Mowbray, desire to thank all friends for sympathy to them in their recent bereavement.
On Friday May 17th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – The official casualty lists issued during the past week have included a very large number of Leicester’s, also of names of local men belonging to other regiments. Among them have been the following relating to this district, all being privates unless otherwise stated:- From Monday’s list:- Killed. – Leicestershire Regt. Cooper, 18735 J. (Melton Mowbray). Hands, 38664 H. (Long Clawson). Johnson, 11728 Corpl. W. (Syston). Woodcock, 15940 (Melton Mowbray).