Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
In March 1901 William Henry, born 1894 in Colsterworth, Lincs., was residing at Bourne Road, Colsterworth, Lincs., together with his maternal grandfather, Henry Ross a blacksmith, born 1844 in Ropsley, Lincs., and his son, Heritage Ross, a general agricultural labourer, born 1877 in Ropsley, Lincs. In April 1911 William was residing at Hawley’s Cottages, Colsterworth, Lincs, together with his grandfather, Henry Ross and his brother Herbert Ross Cooper, born 1900 in Colsterworth, Lincs. On Friday April 27th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – SNIPER WILLIAM COOPER.- Mrs S. Cooper of 21, Rutland Street, Melton Mowbray, on Tuesday received the sad news that her son Sniper William Cooper, of the Lincoln’s has made the supreme sacrifice. In a letter from the Company Captain he says, “I regret to have to inform you of the sad news that your son was killed in action last Tuesday, April 19th. He was a very popular man in the Company, and a keen soldier. His loss is felt by the whole company, who join me in offering you our deepest sympathy on your great loss.” Deceased who was 22 years of age, formerly worked on the iron stone quarries at Stainby. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war, and had been at the front nearly two years. He took part in most of the principal engagements and had previously escaped without a scratch.