Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Walter Vernon Cope was born in Geraldton, Western Australia in June 1892 to parents Walter James and Mary Adeline Cope (nee Birch) who were married in Geraldton in July 1889. Walter was one on six siblings with two sisters and three brothers, one brother who was still born in 1901.
 
In Walter’s early years he attended Geraldton State School. His father worked as an auctioneer and commission agent for Broadhurst and McNeil Merchants of Geraldton in 1901. It was in about 1903 that Walter’s family moved to Bunbury taking up residence, with his father working at the Bunbury Harbor Board as a secretary. It was in April of 1903 Walter’s youngest brother was born. Walter finished his schooling at Bunbury State School where on leaving school he worked as a clerk. From 1914 -1916 Walter was registered on the West Australian Electoral Roll with an address at Hay Street West Perth.
 
It was in July 1915 that Walter enlisted into the A.I.F. conducting his medical in Bunbury on the 25th July 1915 where he was declared fit for service, on enlistment into the A.I.F. Walter listed his address as Zoe Street Bunbury his parents’ address. It was on the 30th July 1915 that Walter was at Blackboy Hill, Perth conducting his basic training attached to 32nd Battalion. Two companies C and D of 32nd Battalion were formed at Blackboy Hill. It was in September 1915 that these two companies sailed from Fremantle for Adelaide South Australia to join A and B companies to form the remainder of the battalion which had been raised at Adelaide, forming part of the 8th Brigade.
 
Walter embarked from Adelaide, South Australia in November 1915 aboard HMAT Geelong A2, attached to D Company. Arriving in Egypt in December 1915 the battalion conducted further training at Tel-el-Kebir, before embarking to France in June 1916. On arrival in France Walter was sent Morbecque near Hazebrouck in northern France.

It was in July 1916 that Albert with the battalion moved to their billets at Fleurbaix in preparation for an assault on the German trenches at Fromelles. The plan was to use Brigades from the Australian Fifth Division to conduct a diversionary assault of the German trenches at Fromelles.

The Australian 8th Brigade which 32nd Battalion was a part of along with 31st Battalion were to assault the German trenches on the left flank crossing only 100 metres of no man’s land to get the trenches. The 32ndBattalion was on the extreme left flank their job made more difficult, not only did they have to protect themselves, but advancing on the German lines they had to block off the Germans on their left, to stop them from coming around behind them whilst advancing. The assault was due to commence at 6pm on 19th July 1916.

Walter in D Company along with B Company formed the third and fourth waves of the attack. Even before the attack commenced the Australians not only suffered casualties from the German artillery but also from their own inexperienced Australian artillery who lacked the skills to provide artillery cover for the assault.

With the 32nd and 31st Battalions commencing their assault and suffering heavy casualties, against all odds the men were able to capture the German frontline trenches opposite them. Pushing onto their final objective, the support trenches they failed to find these trenches which turned out to be ditches or abandoned trenches overgrown with grass and half full of water. The failure in selecting the final objective by commanders for the 8th Brigade was due to reading of unreliable maps that were taken the previous year in 1915 when they were first dug by the Germans. 

With the 32nd Battalion suffering heavy casualties from continued German counter attacks during the night which were able to penetrate the gaps in the Australian lines, the Australians maintained their positions until about 3.45am before being surrounded. It was at this time the Australians decided to withdraw from the trenches to fight their way back to their lines.
Walter’s fate during the attack was witnessed by a Private C Morris 1324 who was in the same platoon as Walter, states in an Australian Red Cross Wounded File dated January 1917,
 
“I saw him shot and fall in no man’s land. But I do not know for certain if he died. He was left lying there.”
 
Initially Private Walter Vernon Cope was reported as missing. Enquiries were even made to see if he was taken as a prisoner of war by the Germans. Red Cross File recorded “No Trace Germany”. Australian’s who did reached the German trenches, where captured and taken prisoner.
 
In September 1916 Walter’s father wrote to the Army requesting information on his son’s fate. With very little information and the large number of casualties at Fromelles the army replied,
 
 “Reported missing 20/07/1916, and no further information has since come to hand. You will be promptly notified of any further reports.”
 
Even though Private Morris stated he had seen Walter shot during the attack this information was not recorded until January 1917.
 
Again, in July 1917 Walter’s father wrote to the Army in hope of further information on his son’s fate, as he had received sketchy information by way of letters from other 32nd Battalion boys who knew Walter giving their versions of Walter’s fate. No doubt this caused further anxiety to Walter’s family and his letter to the army seeking any information on his son.
 
He wrote on the 19th July 1917 to the army,
 
“In reference to my son Private W.V. Cope, No. 1241, D. Company, 32nd Battalion, officially reported as missing July 19th 1916, have you any further information to report.  It is just a year today since the lad went into action and nothing more has been heard of, he and many of his comrades in the 32nd. I have had several letters from lads who know my son but all they can say is that he was seen in the trenches in a hand-to-hand struggle with the enemy but did not return the next morning when the roll was called.  The boy did his bit as you will see from the enclosed cutting.  I should like to hear from you at your early convenience “.
 
It was not until a court of inquiry was held “in the field” on 12th August 1917 that Private Walter Vernon Cope 32nd Battalion D Company was pronounced as killed in action on the 20th July 1916.
Even five years later the Cope family still lacked any clear information on Walter’s fate as per correspondence from A.I.F. Base Records, Melbourne dated 5th September 1921 to the Cope family.
 
“Confirming that they have been unable to trace the final resting place of No. 1241, Private W.V. Cope, 32nd Battalion and seeking copies of correspondence that may identify the circumstances surrounding his death, particularly the exact locality at which it occurred, or where he was last seen alive.”
 
Walter’s fathers’ response to A.I.F. Records dated 12 September 1921.
 
“I have nothing to report beyond reference made in letters from Capt. Geddes as per attached. No belongings whatsoever (personal or military) have been sent from France, no information gleaned as to how my son met his death.  He was last seen in the trenches in the early morning July 20th “.
 
Private Walter Vernon Cope 1241 has no known grave and is commemorated at VC Corner Australian Military Cemetery, Fromelles France.
 
He was 24 years of age.