Ernest Cooper : Motor Cyclist Corporal 568228 (looking for more info)

[Where's Drago?]

Hi all, 

 

I'm researching Ernest Cooper, and although I have some terrific detail on him already, it's bugging me I'm unable to find some other specifics.

 

Ernest Cooper was a Motor Cyclist Corporal (568228) for the Royal Engineers 5th Divisional Signal Company. He died on 13 April 1918, and is buried at Tannay British Cemetary in Thiennes.

 

I don't know what a 'motor cyclist corporal' was. Was it a dispatch rider? Also, although I have a date of death and cemetary, I'm unable to find much in the way of detail of where he would have been at the time. I'm assuming he was involved in the Battle of Hazebrouck (12-15 April, 1918), but this is only an assumption.

 

Anybody have anymore information? Thanks so much,

 

Jason

[david murdoch]

Most likely a dispatch rider  - from another thread. For the RE motorcyclists the daily pay was 2s 6d with an increase of 6d after completion of training and automatic rank of Corporal on enlistment. I see he was 16/London Regt. 373, Royal Engineers. 265., Royal Engineers. 568228 Cpl. previously. He died of wounds so could be a few days prior to his death.

Check this old thread here 

 

Edited 2 January , 2018 by david murdoch

[Langdon]

The 5th Divisional Signal Company war diary is available on Ancestry here or downloadable (for a small fee) here at the National Archives.

It has quite a lot of detail covering each section of the company, which had recently (early April) travelled from Italy. A general summary of April 1918 reads in part:

 

"The month from a signal point of view has been somewhat strenuous. A lot of hard work has been put in under somewhat difficult circumstances. The company suffered several casualties, seven men (including 3 NCO's) being wounded and a motor cyclist being killed."

 

Under section 1 - 12th April - La Jumelle (n.of Aire) - "Owing to the exceptional circumstances prevailing, no regular DR posts were formed, the communication being maintained by "Special" Dispatch Rider to Brigade."

There's no reference to Cooper by name that I can see, but the Company was only in action from the 12th after their arrival in France.

 

Mike

[Where's Drago?]

David, Langdon - thanks so much.

[Langdon]

 

Here's a trench map of the area in question - Aire in square H28, Riennes to the east and La Jumelle to the north-west - as named in the war diary.

 

Mike

[Where's Drago?]

Wow! Thanks Mike, that's really appreciated. What a superb resource.