Serg E Cooper MM (1893 – 1918)

Edward Cooper was baptised at St Leonards on 12 November, 1893. His parents were Edwin, a bricklayer, and Mary. They lived in Friars Street. By 1911 Edward had moved to Kidderminster where he worked as a creeler in a carpet factory.

Edward joined the 4th Battalion, Worcester Regiment early on in the war. He saw action in Gallipoli (1915), the Somme (1916), Ypres (1917) and Cambrai. He died in hospital in Huddersfield on 11th January, 1918 as the result of wounds received, probably at the Battle of Cambrai. On the day he died, the London Gazette announced that he had been awarded the Military Medal.

Serg Cooper, 12837, was also awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 15 Star. His funeral was reported in the Bridgnorth Journal of 19 January, 1918.

FUNERAL OF A BRIDGNORTH SOLDIER
[Bridgnorth Journal, Saturday 19th January, 1918]
On Wednesday afternoon last 12837 Sergt. E. Cooper, M.M., 4th Worcester Regiment, whose parents reside at No. 7, Friar's Street, was interred in Bridgnorth Cemetery. The deceased, a single man, 25 years of age, was severely wounded by shrapnel last month whilst fighting in France,and there his mother visited him. On the 21st of December he was brought to this Country and sent to Huddersfieid, where he subsequently died from the effects of his wounds. On Tuesday his body was brought to Bridgnorth on the 7 o'clock train and conveyed by Messrs. W. Jones and Co., who had charge of the funeral arrangements at this end, to No. 7, Friar's Street to await the funeral the following day. In the list of awards of the Military Medal published in the "London Gazette" of Monday last appeared the name of Sergt. Cooper, showing that he was a brave and gallant soldier, and drawn blinds in the vicinity of his home and on the route to the cemetery indicated respect for his memory. A large number of people assembled at various points to see the funeral pass, and, notwithstanding a deep snow, many were present at the cemetery. The funeral was attended by a sergeant, six men, and a bugler from the headquarters of the battalion, Worcester, and they acted as bearers. The coffin was conveyed on a wheeled bier and covered with a Union Jack, and placed on it were wreaths of flowers from his family and immediate relatives and friends, together with a floral tribute from his sick and wounded comrades at the war hospital and another from the nursing staff at Huddersfield. [List of mourners.] There also followed in khaki the following men, all from France, and all Bridgnorth boys: Sherry, Brown, Lowe, Johnson, Smallman, Langley, W. Lowe, Stokes, and Griffiths. The service in the cemetery chapel and the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Prebendary Clark-Maxwell, rector of St. Leonard's, and the thrilling notes of the "Last Post" fittingly closed an impressive occasion.