A Fine “BATTLE OF ARRAS” MILITARY MEDAL. A Later Casualty, KILLED IN ACTION “BATTLE OF MENIN ROAD” (3rd Battle of Ypres) 21.9.17 46559. Sgt C.T. COOPER. 122 Coy, M.G.C. A Native of Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Age 23 [CHARLES THORPE COOPER] 27th April 1894-21st September 1917. (Age 23) Charles was a Derbyshire man from Ilkeston and with his wife Elizabeth he had a daughter Lilian who was born on 27th April 1914. Elizabeth received an initial widows pension award of 21/3d per week from 15th April 1918. [A TOUCHING LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE] On 17th January 1918, Mrs Elizabeth Cooper the widow of Charles Thorpe Cooper was contacted by the M.G.C. record office requesting instructions as to how she would like to receive her late husband’s Military Medal. She declined the offer of an official presentation and requested that the medal be sent to her. She replied: “Dear Sirs, In answer to your kind letter of 17th. I feel that I would much rather you forward Sgt Charles Thorpe Cooper’s Military Medal on to me and I may say that what little consolation there is left it is the thought that he died doing his duty for his King and Country.” Yours E. Cooper. A single medal, with various copy papers including widow’s pension details. Also entitled to a pair. Medal index card states: “B.W & V. M. returned, undisposed, broken up on 6.3.23” The medal survives in excellent GVF condition having been only occasionally worn by the widow as was the common custom of the time. It now has a very attractive long time developed tone. £695