COOPER, William

William Cooper was the son of Mrs E.J. Cooper of 65 Attwood Street, Wollescote, and attended Wollescote school. He enlisted in the Worcesters and was sent to the 3rd Battalion on the Western Front. In 1916 they fought on the Somme, notably in the attacks on the Leipzig Salient protecting Thiepval in August and September. In 1917 they were again prominent in the Third Battle of Ypres. When the opening attack failed to capture the Westhoek ridge the 3rd Division with the Worcesters were brought up. Westhoek was taken but among the many casualties on the 11th August was Private William Cooper. He was 19 years of age and is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery (XXVII F 18) and commemorated on the Lye and Wollescote, Lye church and Wollescote school Memorials.