Arthur Trevor Copas

First Name: 
Arthur
Middle Name: 
Trevor
Last Name: 
Copas
Mother's Name: 
Catherine Copas (nee McMahon)
Father's Name: 
John Copas
Date Enlisted: 
Wednesday, May 16, 1917
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
13th Battalion
Company: 
D
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Thursday, July 4, 1918
Place of Death: 
Hamel, France
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Arthur Copas (Service No 3614) was born in Wollongong, N.S.W. around 1887 and attended the local school.  He was a member of the Wollongong Cricket Club and reported to be a valuable batsman.

Arthur enlisted when he was 29 years old.  He was single and working as a storekeeper.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A14 Euripides with 10th Reinforcement, 56th Battalion on 31st October 1917.  After arriving in England he went to France on 1st April 1918 and joined D Company, 13th Battalion on 17th April 1918.

On 4th July 1918 the 13th Battalion was taking part in the very successful battle for Hamel.  This battle was planned by General Monash and used all arms of the forces together for the first time; it was also the first battle for American troops.  At about 7am, D Company had achieved their objective when Arthur was hit in the back by a machine gun bullet.  He was taken to C Company Headquarters for treatment but died on the way.

Arthur was buried in the vicinity at the time but the location of his grave has been lost.

He is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux, France.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, COPAS A T