Prince of Wales’ Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, 9th Battalion, Service no. 18448
Son of John Richard Coope and Elizabeth Porteus. Husband of Eleanor Downing
Killed in action on the 9th October 1917, aged 36.
Story
Herbert was born in Armley on 2nd January 1881. He married Eleanor Downing in Kirkstall on 27th April 1907. His father had passed away in 1890, and his mother had re-married John Hawkridge. He was living in Kirkstall in 1911 as a boot riveter. Herbert also had daughters Mabel in 1907, Edith in 1911, and Eleanor in 1915. Herbert enlisted for army service in Castleford on 1st March, 1915. Prior to enlisting he was a screener at Allerton Bywater Colliery. The fascinating fact about Herbert Coope is that his diary was found in a skip many years later but no contact was able to be made with any relative or friend. The diary is transcribed below:
Diary of Herbert Coope
| Suvla Bay | Peronne |
| Malta | Abbeville |
| Gibraltar | Etaples |
| Egypt | St Amer |
| Alexandria | Calais |
| Cairo | Amiens |
| Ismalia | Proven |
| France | Poperinge |
| Marseilles | Boulogne |
| Arras | Albert |
| Nellie | Sept 12th |
| Mabel | Oct 8th |
| Edith | Oct 6th |
| Eleanor | April 27th |
Mrs Hawkridge
14 Vesper Place
Kirkstall
Nr Leeds
Every bullet has its billet
Many bullets more than one:
God! Perhaps I killed a mother When I killed a mother’s son.
No 18448 Pte H.Coope
West Yorks
Date of Enlistment 1/3/15
Trained at Whitley Bay left Whitley Bay August 1915 for Devonport. Left Devonport Sept 4th /15. Arrived Bay Sept 14th/15. Wounded at Suvla Bay Nov 25th/15 bullet wound in neck.
Arrived Australian hospital Nov 30th/15 at Mudros. Left hospital Jan/1916 had Dysentery. After leaving hospital had Yellow Jaundice.
Left Mudros for Egypt Arrived Egypt camp Sidi Bishe Alexandria.
Left Alexandria, went to El Fendon up the Suez canal. Left Egypt for France, sailed for Alexandria and landed at Marseille July 1st/16. Went up country 3 days and half train ride. Went into trenches again Arras.
Left Arras and went down on the Somme, was in the attack and capture of Wunderwork Sept 14th. Held it for about 32 hours until relieved.
Again in the attack on Sept 27th/16 just beyond Thiepval, was wounded, shrapnel wounds in Right arm and Left hand, sent down the line to Boulogne and arrived at Dover Sept 30th, went to Chatham Hospital. Went to Tunbridge Wells VAD Hospital Oct 1st/16, discharged from Hospital 10 day pass.
Reported at Rugeley camp Nov 7th. Sent into hospital. Left Dec 26th/16 for 5 days final leave.
Jan/17 Poisoned toe at home went into Becketts Park Hospital, in bed 9 days and the came out. Went back to Rugeley Camp and sent onto Whitley Bay. Left Whitley Bay April 11/17 for Folkston. Left Folkston 12/4/17 for Boulogne. Very rough passage.
King George, Prince of Wales, Sir Douglas Haig, General Birdwood and others visited Peronne 27/7/17. Gave the King the salute as he passed me which he instantly returned.
Private Herbert Coope was killed in Action on the 9th October 1917 which was the first day of the Battle of Poelcapelle, a village 5 miles north of Ypres. He is buried at Bedford House Cemetery Silsbee, Ypres, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, Enclosure No 4 XXII.J.44
Kippax Roll of Honour 