Kenneth John Cooper

An Able Seaman with Anson Battalion, Kenneth died on 25th of March 1918 at the age of 20.

Kenneth was born at Lound on 29 January 1898, a son of John and Rose Cooper of The Street, Lound. He was baptised at Saint John the Baptist Church, Lound, on 1 May 1898. In 1911 Kenneth was an errand boy (domestic). 

Kenneth attested for the Army Reserve on 11 December 1915 but was called up to serve with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 16 June 1917 and actually joined the Royal Naval Division which was designated to fight on land but was made up of naval personnel. 

From 18 June 1917 Kenneth served with the 3rd Reserve Battalion, at Blandford, as an Ordinary Seaman. He was advanced to Able Seaman on 22 October 1917 and on that date was posted to the Anson Battalion in France. He embarked at Folkstone on 24 October and disembarked at Boulogne on 25 October, joining the Base Depot, at Calais, the same day. He then joined Anson Battalion in the field. 

From 23 to 25 March 1918 Anson Battalion were involved in a fighting withdrawal. On 25 March they fought a rearguard action to Thiepval and during the night of 25/26 they withdrew across the River Ancre with the intention of holding the railway line position.    

It is not clear exactly what happened to Kenneth, but he was reported missing in action on 25 March 1918 and was later assumed to have been killed on that date.

Kenneth is record as John Cooper on the war memorial at Lound Church.