Edward John Copping

Edward Copping seated with his friend Percy Worboys

WWI Roll of Honour

by Lynette Wray

Edward John Copping

Military History:        

Regiment:                              
Australian Imperial Force

Rank:                                     
Corporal

Service Number:                    
840

Date of Enlisting:                            
18.2.1915

Date of death:                        
26.10.1971

Cemetery/ Memorial:            
Canberra, Australia

UK Cemetery/Memorial:      
None known

Edward enlisted with the Australian army at Liverpool, New South Wales, on 18th February 1915. Edward embarked for England and was immediately sent to the front in France. He served with C Company, 18th Battalion, Service Number 840, in the Balkans Theatre of War, Gallipoli where he remained until the evacuation in December 1915. He was then sent to France and was promoted to Corporal on 2nd February 1916. He was wounded in action on 28th July 1916 and returned to England.

On 12th March 1917 Edward was transferred to the Australian Flying Corps, 5th Training Squadron, then to 6th Training Squadron and reverted to the rank of private. On 1st October 1917 he was again transferred to the 30th Training Squadron and back to corporal. He survived the War and was discharged from the army and returned to Australia on 2nd January 1919.

Edward was awarded the 14/15 Star, the Victory Medal, the British War Medal and the Anzac Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

Family History:

Date of Birth:                13.8.1890

Birth Place:                   Long Stratton, Norfolk

Residence:                    Parramatta, New South Wales

Marriage:                      2.5.1919

Edward was born on 13th August 1890 in Long Stratton, Norfolk, the elder son of Harry and Angelina Louisa (nee Bowen).  The 1901 and 1911 census records show Edward living with his family in Ashwell.  It is presumed he was a pupil at the Merchant Taylor School in Ashwell.

Before enlisting Edward was a carpenter, having served a 4 year apprenticeship at ‘Redhouse’, Stotfold, Hertfordshire.

On 7th September 1912 Edward emigrated to Australia with Percy Worboys from Ashwell. In 1915 he enlisted as a naturalised Australian.

On returning to Australia after the War Edward married Dorothy E Holmes on 2nd May 1919.  They had one son, Laurence Henry, born on 1st June 1920 who became a very well-known and respected member of the Canberra community.

Edward died at Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia on 26th October 1971.

Commentary:

Other references:

September 1816

Pte EJ Copping, Australian Infantry, wounded in left hand, at hospital in Epsom. Here he met again Pte P Warboys whom he emigrated with some years ago, both served at Gallipoli where Worboys was badly wounded.