Canadian in WW1

[johmar]

I am looking for anyone that may have any information on Henry Ernest Cope who served with the RE from 1916, Previous to this he stated that he was a Canadian who served with the 31st Battalion RFA before deserting in 1916 and rejoining the RE as a groom/driver. He was supposedly married to Georgina Cure in Winnipeg in 1914 but subsequently lived in Poole Dorset. I have records of him from 1916-19 but the trail stops.

[Mary Anne]

johmar

Hello! |wave|

You say you "have records" of Henry Ernest from 1916-1919 -- do you mean his military records? Because on the Canadian Expeditionary Force database, there IS a Henry COPE, born Leeds, 1897, enlisting at Toronto in 1916. He was, according to the Attestation Paper note, assigned initially to the 124th Battalion. You can see his Attestation Paper here:
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/archivianet/cef/001042-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=116187&interval=20&&PHPSESSID=405809b3q9vbqsev3jf8uiccg5
And you can order his service record from the Library and Archives Canada - it tells you how on the site.

There is also a Henry John COPE and a William Henry COPE - all born in England - but there is no Henry Ernest COPE. If he had enlisted with the CEF there would have been an Attestation Paper - I think this would be the case even if he enlisted overseas.

Looking on the Manitoba Vital Statistics database, there is no marriage between Henry Ernest COPE and Georgina CURE, nor any combination of these names, although there are a number of other COPE and CURE people. And no Georgina CURE born in Manitoba (although she certainly could have been born elsewhere). You can search the database here: http://vitalstats.gov.mb.ca/Query.php

You may want to visit these forums about the First World War and post your query there - this one about men and units of the Canadian Expeditionary Force: http://www.cefresearch.com/phpBB2/index.php

- and this one about the Great War in general, including men and engagements of the British and Dominion Armies: http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/

Oh, and you may want to check the Commonwealth War Graves Commission database, in case he died in 1919, unless you know he was live later... www.gwgc.org

[johmar]

It is a bit complicated as he states on his military record that he joined the 31st battalion RFA in Sept 1907 reg number 62??. In August 1916 whilst on sick leave deserted and re-enlisted in Sept 1919 in the RE at Dorchester Dorset. This statement was made whilst under custody for another offence. It was claimed he wore the MM and3 wound stripes. All these can be found on the Ancestry.co.uk website under WW1 records.We have discovered that he was working breaking horses in New Arlesford Hampshire in 1916 where nearby Canadian troops were billeted and also his son was born. He seems to have been quite a character, AWOL on several occasions and even involved in a mutiny in Rouen. Some of his actions were directly connected to the actions of his "wife" in Poole Dorset. In the light of what we have discovered surely he would not have re-enlisted under his true name! Alternatively many young men went to Canada at the turn of the century and used the army as a way of getting back home when hostilities started. If there is any info out there I would be very grateful. His RE number was 127825

[Mary Anne]

Johmar

I am sort of re-thinking now after what you have added. I think he enlisted in the British Army, not the Canadian Expeditionary Force at all. Even though he was possibly in Canada before the war... And it would appear your Ancestry information confirms that, both for the Royal Field Artillery and the Royal Engineers.

Could it be that the trail stops in 1919 because he died? and if he changed his name he might be in the CWGC database under another name?

If he was alive after the war, you could look at street directories and censuses, using all possible combinations from the name *Cope*. Although I suspect you have already done this and not found him, right?

IF he went to Canada, that could be difficult to find him, because it would depend on what province he went to. You could look for him in the 1911 census at www.automatedgenealogy.com How old would he have been in 1911 -- there is a Harry F. COPE, age 15, in Marquette (just outside Winnipeg).

What happens if you try following his wife?

Are you SURE he was born in Canada -- there is a Henry Ernest COPE, born Sep 1886, West Derby, Vol. 8b, P. 283 -- could this be your man? It would make him about 28 in 1914. Too bad you can't check the 1911 UK Census!