Arthur Trevor Copas

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 26/08/2015 - 13:04

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:

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