Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Copson, a railway labourer, born 1849 in Wigston Magna, Leics., and his wife Harriet Copson (nee Gamble), born 1851 in Wigston Magna, Leics. William was born in 1888 in Wigston Magna, Leics., his siblings were, Harry, a baker, born 1874, Alonzo, a schoolboy, born 1879, Mary Jane, a schoolgirl, born 1881, Edith A., a schoolgirl, born 1883 and Joseph, a schoolboy, born 1885, all his siblings were born in Wigston Magna, Leics., in April 1891 the family home was at Manor Street, Wigston Magna, Leics. In March 1901 William was employed as a shoe factory errand boy and was residing in the family home at Paddock Street, Wigston Magna, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Harry, a corn factor’s carter, Alonzo, a biscuit factory worker, Mary, a Griswold stocking frame knitter, Edith, a laundress and Joseph a biscuit factory worker. In April 1911 William was employed as shoe trade riveter and was residing in the family home at 21, Paddock Street, Wigston Magna, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Harry, a general labourer and Joseph, a biscuit factory worker. The War Diary entry for the 21st July 1916 records. CROUY. 9.30pm Cleaned and rested. Moved by motor lorry (Transport by road) to LONGPRE (bivouac). Last party arrived 2.00am 22nd July.