SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Harry was born in 1897 in Spratton, the son of a shoemaker, Henry Copson, from a long-established family in the village and his wife Mary Ann who came from Creaton. The family lived in both Creaton and Spratton (Erskine Cottages, Manor Road) over the years. There were three brothers, at least two of whom, James and Harry, served in the First World War. When he left school Harry moved away from home to become a servant in a baker's family in Ullesthorpe, near Lutterworth, Leicestershire.

The National Roll of Honour states that he volunteered in November 1914 and was drafted into the Northamptonshire Regiment, but if this is correct he was only 17. In March 1915 he was transferred to the Royal Engineers and sent to France. He took part in the Battles of the Somme, Arras and Vimy Ridge. He died in action in the Cambrai sector on 15 September 1917 aged 19. He was buried in the Hibers Trench Cemetery, Wancourt, Pas de Calais, France and is remembered on the War Memorial in Spratton churchyard.

Harry was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.