10th (‘Grimsby Chums’) Service Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment; young soldiers training at Brocklesby Park 1915.

An original, real photographic postcard sent by George Cooper to his sister Miss E. M. Cooper at 133 Legsby Avenue, Grimsby. The postcard has a Brocklesby postmark and the date is 12th March 1915. George is at the front on the photo.

George informs his sister that he will be over tomorrow and asks her to have the water hot. He signs his message, “You silly, George”.

He sent other postcards to his sister at 133 Legsby Avenue and also a Mrs Cooper at 82 Legsby Avenue, presumably his mother.

Private George Cooper survived WW1. He sustained an injury to his left leg in May 1916 whilst fighting in France. He was disabled for the remainder of his life.

George returned to Grimsby after the war and worked as an electrical engineer for the Central Electricity Board at the Moss Road power station until his retirement. He lived at 6 Roundway, Grimsby. During WW2, George was an air raid warden. He was a prominent freemason.

In his early years, George Cooper attended St James’ School, Grimsby. He was keen on cricket and tennis.

George Cooper was born in Grimsby on 16th February 1895 and he died in 1980, aged 85.

Additional note: The photo shows Pte G.Cooper,service number 28 at the very front wearing a cap. George was wounded on the Somme in May 1916 and luckily missed going “over the top” on July 1st 1916, when the battalion was almost decimated. Some of those in the “A” Coy photo were probably killed on that day. A really fine study and rare photo.