Person

Frederick was born in East Dereham, Norfolk on 4 December 1893 and christened in the village church on 26 January 1894. He was the second child and oldest son of the four children born to Frederick Charles and May Copeman of Foundry Square, East Dereham. Frederick Charles senior worked both as a labourer and traction engine driver.

At the time of the 1901 census Frederick was living at 8 Foundry Square, East Dereham with his parents, older sister Bessie (born 1892), and younger brothers, Herbert Sidney (born 1896) and Ernest Edward (born 1900). In 1911 the family had moved to St Nicholas Street, East Dereham. Frederick is working as a groom and gardener.

Frederick enlisted at Norwich in the Norfolk regiment with the service number 5276. No service records are available for Frederick but we do know that at some point he began serving with the 1st/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry (DLI). He served with this battalion as a private with the service numbers 65636 and 250635. Frederick was killed in action on 14 April 1917.

Frederick is commemorated on the Arras Memorial and remembered in the DLI Book of Remembrance in Durham Cathedral. He is also remembered at the memorial hall in his home town of East Dereham, Norfolk. He was awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Birth date: 4-Dec-1893

Death date: 14-Apr-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 8 Foundry Square, East Dereham (1901 Census)
St Nicholas Street, East Dereham (1911 Census)

Education: London Road Board/Infant School, East Dereham

Employment: Groom / Gardener (1911 Census)

Family: Parents: Frederick Charles Copeman, May Copeman
Siblings: Bessie Copeman, Herbert Sidney Copeman, Ernest Edward Copeman

Military service:

Norfolk Regiment
Service Number 5276
Durham Light Infantry, 1st/6th Battalion
Private
Service Numbers 65636, 250635

Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Dereham Memorial Hall, East Dereham, Norfolk

Gender: Male

Contributed by Harold P, Durham