Thomas Henry Cooper
Private 55509 Devonshire Regiment
Labour Corps.
Division 29
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Thomas Henry Cooper was the son of Thomas Henry and Jane Cooper, of 26, Milman Road, Reading. He died on 23rd September 1917. With his brother he is commemorated upon his parents grave in Reading Cemetery. Sadly the commemoration to Harold is now very unclear.
Thomas Henry Cooper is buried at Rocquigny – Equancourt Road, British Cemetery, Manancourt, Somme. Location Plot I. Row B. 23. The area was occupied in April, 1917, as the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg Line. The cemetery was begun in 1917, and used mainly by the 21st and 48th Casualty Clearing Stations, posted at Ytres. The location of the grave would indicate that Thomas Cooper was one of the earliest casualties to be buried there. The cemetery was lost at the beginning of the German Spring offensive in March 1918 but regained in September 1918.
Harold Walter Cooper
Private 28160
1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry
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Harold Walter Cooper was the younger brother of Thomas Henry Cooper. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, location Panel 41 -42 and 163A. He died on 4th October 1917, aged 19.
On this day the British surprised the Germans who had also planned an attack. An advance was made along an eight mile front. The Germans lost many man to the British artillery and many prisoners were taken. However, in spite of the allied gains many men were lost, some in the mud that became increasingly deeper as the rains came down. Harold Cooper was probably killed and his body lost during this action. The rain continued to fall for days and days. Haig was reluctant to withdraw and loose the precious gains, he urged his men to push ever onwards, Passchendaele was in sight.
The brothers are commemorated on the grave of their parents in the Reading cemetery.
