Ashtead War Memorials - WWI - Pte Robert Anthony Cooper
1st Bn, East Surrey Regiment

Robert [birth registered Epsom 12/1883 - Soldiers Died in the Great War says he was born at Ashtead] was a son of Robert Cooper [born Newmarket, Suffolk] and his wife Hannah [born Cheveley, Cambridgeshire]. In 1901, the family may be found living at 2 Keals Cottages, Crampshaw Lane, Ashtead and, at that time, Robert, junr., is described as having been an 'Electrical Assistant' – presumably working for Messrs Peto & Radford, Electrical Accumulator Manufacturers, at Greville Works, Ashtead.

The marriage of Robert Anthony to Emmie Rainbird is registered at Epsom for March Quarter 1909. This couple set up home in no.2 (but later moved to no.1) Pleasant Terrace, Skinners Lane, Ashtead.

At the outbreak of the First World War, RA Cooper enlisted at Kingston on Thames with 3rd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment but this was only a Depot/Training Unit and he was re-assigned to the 1st Battalion. This battalion landed at Le Havre, 15 August 1914, but on 12 January 1916 it was transferred to 95th Brigade, 5th Division, subsequently moving with the Division to Italy, in November 1917, but returning to France in April 1918.

Private Cooper survived the war but died on 23 February 1919, before he could be demobilised. His death was registered at Epsom, March Quarter 1919, as Robert A. Cooper, 36. His burial took place in St Giles’ churchyard.

He is listed on the Ashtead Memorial as just Pte R Cooper.

text: Brian Bouchard: if you can add to this page please contact the editor
page added 3 Mar 2009