Name
William John Cooper
1876
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/02/1917
41
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
132591
Royal Garrison Artillery
73rd Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
KARACHI 1914-1918 WAR MEMORIAL
Pakistan
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Diocese - Book of Remembrance, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Diocese of St Albans - ROH, St Albans Cathedral, St Albans, Not on the Little Gaddesden memorials (*1)
Pre War
William John Cooper was born in 1876 in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, the son of John and Sarah Cooper.
On the 1881 Census the family were living at Union Street, Leighton Buzzard where his father was working as an agricultural labourer. They remained in Leighton Buzzard in 1891 at which time William was working as an errand boy.
In 1894 when he was 18, he joined the Royal Artillery with the regimental number of 7554. It is not known how long he served. He was said to be living in Hitchin, Herts at the time of enlistment.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bradford, Yorkshire and joined the Royal Garrison Artillery, serving as a Gunner.
William died from pneumonia in Lahore, Pakistan on 25 February 1917 and is buried in Lahore Cantonment North Cemetery, Pakistan. His name is also commemorated on the Karachi 1914-1918 War Memorial, in Pakistan.
Additional Information
Sole legatee Mrs Clara Tranter received a war gratuity of £9 10s and pay owing of £15 6s 2d.
Pension card exists with Mrs C Tranter as dependent and described as unmarried wife living at 108 Undercliffe Road, Eccles Hill, Bradford but no pension amount is recorded.
*1 The St Albans Cathedral Diocese records confirm a
connection to the parish of Little Gaddesden, although he is not listed on the memorials.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
