WALTER HENRY COOPER 1884-1960 - My Grandfather

 The following are notes taken from a letter from Doris Lowe, daughter, January 2001:

'Walter and Beatrice would, no doubt, have been married at Viney Hill Church, and from that should come details of where Walter Cooper lived. I only remember him saying that he cycled up from Wales & back to see my Mum when they were courting! He was a very clever man- mending village clocks (even the headmaster's, Mr H C Kerwood) and shoes- used to walk to Lydney for the leather; gardening, building, hair cutting, making wine & cider - very popular with the local lads at Christmastime.

And so you could go on.....we have my Dad's brother, Dick (Wales), Albert (Yorkley) who was an official at New Fancy Colliery and got my brother Bill (Cwmbran) to the mining school at Cinderford, and a sister, I believe, at Cut&Fry Green with children Bertha & Cora (Vaughan?). All of which I may have got wrong'.

The following is taken from a note received from Elsie Davis, Daughter, January 2001;

'Besides Richard, Dad had another brother, Albert, who lived at Yorkley, another brother, we think was called Herbert, drowned in the River Severn in 1923, another brother kept a bicycle shop in Blakeney. Father's name was William, Mother's name was Ann, formerly Paradise.'


(This is the 1st indication of parents' names from any family members!]

Note from Graham Cooper, Grandson 18/5/2002...'I seem to remember that he wore a leather waistcoat, but I may have dreamt that. What I do remember for sure is that I used to go around there and play draughts with him, I guess he taught me to play. I remember he kept them in a sideboard. I remember he would never let me win, but that was ok. I later realised that I had become quite a good draughts player. I was not allowed to go around after lunch, I think he used to have a nap.

The following is an extract from the Lydney Observer newspaper Friday June 3rd, 1960.

MR. WALTER COOPER'S SUDDEN DEATH AT VINEY HILL

Mr Walter Cooper (75) of Viney Hill, died in his sleep at his home last week. Although not enjoying good health, he had been out and met his friends on Tuesday evening. He died during the night. During his working life he was a collier, mainly at New Fancy. His main interest was his home, and he devoted much time to looking after his wife, who was an invalid for many years before her death eight years ago. The funeral was on Friday at All Saints' Church, Viney Hill. The service was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev A.J.Smith. Hymns were 'Jesu, lover of my soul' and 'The day Thou gavest Lord is ended'. The organist was Mrs C.R.Johnson.

Family mourners included Mr William Cooper, Mr Donald Cooper, Mr Norman Cooper, Mrs Florence Gleed, Mrs Eva Norris, Mrs Olive Evans, Mrs Marjorie Morse, Mrs Doris Lowe, Mrs Kathleen Wiggall and Mrs Elsie Davies (sons and daughters) Mrs W Cooper, Mrs H Cooper, Mrs N Cooper, Mr Norris, Mr Evans, Mr Morse, Mr Lowe, Mr Wiggall, Mr Davies (daughters-in-law and sons-in-law), Mr Richard Cooper (brother), Mrs F Hitchens, Mr and Mrs Hewish (nephew and nieces).

Other friends attending the service included Mr and Mrs A Watkins, Mrs E Wintle, E Lee, E J Smith, F James, S Lowe, P Brice and S Wilks.

The bearers from the house to the church were Messrs W Morgan, E Drew, F Lowe, J Lowe, A Ellis, K Turner, D Hale, F Hale, H Marshall, W Russell, D Marshall and A Bowdler.

The duties of undertaker were ably carried out by Messrs J H James and Son of Yorkley.