Private, 26036, 8th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Drowned at sea, aged 20, on 23 April 1916 in Mesopotamia.
Enlisted at Stockport, Cheshire into the 8th (Service) Battalion which was was formed at Chester on 12 August 1914 as part of K1 and attached to 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. In June 1915 the Battalion embarked for Egypt and then onto Gallipoli. Private Cope entered the war in the Balkans (Gallipoli) on 1 October 1915. The Battalion then moved to Egypt in January 1916 and the following month to Mesopotamia (Iraq) where it remained. The 8th Battalion arrived at Basra on 28 February 1916.
The 13th Division were involved in the failed attempt to relieve the siege of Kut-al-Amara (7 December 1915 - 29 April 1916). Significant fighting took place towards the end of April, including the Battles of Bait Aisa and Sannaiyat (7 - 22 April 1916). It is noted that Private Cope drowned at sea but buried at Basra. The Battalion War Diary for the time of Private Cope's death records actions close to Sannaiyat on the banks of the Tigress River. His Medal Index Card is marked "Drowned 23.4.16". The "Army Register of Soldiers' Effects" records that he accidentally drowned at Robal Creek, Basra. The battalion would lose almost half their strength during these few weeks.
Born at Stockport, Lancashire the son of Arthur Hooper Cope and Edith Cope (nee Hampson) of 22 Moreton Road, Holyhead. His parents married at Stockport in 1884. In 1901 he lived with his parents and sister at 23 Didsbury Road, Heaton Norris, Lancashire. His father originated from Lancaster and was employed as a Commercial Clerk. By 1911 the family had moved to Holyhead and were living at 22 Moreton Road. He had a sister, Janet, born in about 1886.
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Buried at the Basra War Cemetery, Iraq. Grave location V.H.15. Also commemorated on a memorial plaque at Y Tabernacl, Thomas Street, Holyhead.
With thanks to the Cheshire Military Museum at Chester for access to the battalion war diary.