SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY


Private James COPSON

Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) GS/43506


James was born in 1877 in Creaton, the son of a Spratton shoemaker, Henry Copson, who came 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 Henry, served in the First World War. When he left school James became a general labourer but he quickly developed an interest in horses and moved away from Spratton to become a groom in a private household in Market Harborough, Leicestershire. James married Florence Tebbutt on 14 November 1907 in East Farndon and by the time war was declared he had two children and was living in Great Glen, Leicestershire and still working as a groom.

He joined the Royal Fusiliers on conscription in April 1916 aged 39 and served overseas in France and Belgium. Between April 1916 and March 1919 he served with the 2nd, 20th and 13th Royal Fusiliers. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Erskine Cottages, Manor Road, Spratton
Erskine Cottages, Manor Road, Spratton
Erskine Cottages, Manor Road, Spratton
Erskine Cottages, Manor Road, Spratton