Table of Contents
This family group is one of the most extensive in my family history, and so to aid readability it is split across eight parts.
G5: Edmund Copus (1856-1858)
Birth: Edmund Copus was born in Woolwich on 4 February 1856. He was the ninth child of William and Mary.
Christening: on 2 March 1856 at St Mary Magdalene Church on Greenlaw Street.
Residences: 5 Rush Grove Street, Woolwich (1856-1858)
Deaths: on 24 June 1858 when aged 2.
G5: George Copus (1858-1930) and Susan Stevens (1866-1949)
Birth: George Walter Copus was born in the family home at 5 Rush Grove Street in Woolwich on 8 May 1858. He was the tenth child of William and Mary.
Christening: 6 June 1858 at St Mary Magdalene Church on Greenlaw Street.
Military service: George enlisted into the army on 3 January 1877 in Stockton-on-Tees, joining the 3rd Brigade of the 106th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Light Infantry). At the time he was aged 18 years and worked as a nut and bolt maker. He was given service number 713 and described as 5 feet 5 inches tall, with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes, and brown hair.
The Brigade served at home until March 1879, mainly in the Manchester area, during which time his medical records show that he was treated for several cases of gonorrhoea and syphilis. The regiment was then moved to East India, where it landed in April 1879. Home for the first two years was Meean Meer – widely described as one of the worst postings in India – before moving on to Meerut, which on the other hand was considered the best.
George was discharged in January 1883 after his six years’ service. His medical records show that during his four years in India, he suffered from several ague (fevers), together with some boils and another case of syphilis. He was discharged from the reserves in May 1885 ‘in consequence of being found medically unfit for further service’ due to a blow on the head.
Marriage: to Susan Elizabeth Stevens on 14 April 1884 at St Thomas’s Church in Charlton. He was aged 25 and he was 17. The marriage was witnessed by Susan’s parents.
Spouse history: Susan had been born in Great Yarmouth on 21 August 1866, the first child of Benjamin and Mary. Her father was originally from London, and before 1881 they moved to the capital and settled in Woolwich. They lived on Spray Street to the immediate south of the Royal Arsenal and in what the local’s termed ‘The Dust Hole’. Susan worked as a general servant from as young as 14.
Children: (1) Mary in 1884, (2) George in 1885, (3) Florence in 1887, (4) Benjamin in 1889, (5) William in 1892, (6) Ada in 1893, (7) Albert in 1894, (8) Ethel in 1897, (9) Frederick in 1898, (10) Violet in 1900, (11) Francis in 1902, (12) Ivy in 1903, (13) Joseph in 1907, (14) Walter in 1909. A period of 25 years covers the period from their first child to their last. Sadly, eight of their children died in childhood – Ada, Ethel, Frederick, Charles, Violet, Francis, Ivy and Walter.
Residences: Woolwich was a poor area, occupied by labourers of the nearby Royal Arsenal or the families of soldiers barracked nearby. The newlyweds initially had a terraced house on Acorn Street, immediately south of the Royal Dockyard in the very west of Woolwich but lived in several houses in the area over the next decade.
Between May 1897 and November 1898, the family moved a couple of miles west to New Charlton, a strip of industrial development along the south bank of the Thames. They first lived in a new house next to a disinfectant factory on Cedar Grove (where the Charlton Athletic stadium now stands), before moving a mile west to Marlton Street in Greenwich by May 1899.
Their stay in North Greenwich was short and by 1901 they had moved across the Thames to Canning Town, a rapidly expanding area of West Ham around the Victoria Docks complex. Although there was employment and the area had improved since being one of London’s most notorious slums, it was still deprived. They lived in an overcrowded terraced house on Janet Road (possibly Jersey Road), which was shared with two other families: Priscilla Winfield and her six children had three rooms, while the Ferris family had four. The eight members of the Copus family shared just two rooms. Over the next decade they moved between several terraced houses within the same general neighbourhood, often sharing with other families.
The 1921 census shows that they were still overcrowded late in life, living in a small house on King George Avenue with five of their adult children, two of their spouses, and two grandchildren.
- George: 5 Rush Grove Street, Woolwich (1858-1862); 3 Rush Grove, Woolwich (1871); 2 Acorn Street, Woolwich (1884); 3 Portland Place, Woolwich (1885); 21 Paget Road, Woolwich (1891); 10 Dyson Street, Woolwich (1893); 2 Dicey Street, Woolwich (1894-1897); 31 Cedar Grove, Charlton (1898); 15 Marlton Street, Woolwich (1899); 27 Marlton Street, Greenwich (1900); 41 Janet Road, Canning Town (1901); 14 Bingley Road, Canning Town (1903); 13 Wightman Street, Canning Town (1907); 61 Martindale Road, Canning Town (1911); 14 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1915); 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1918-1930)
- Susan: 7, Row 132, Great Yarmouth (1871); Spray Street, Woolwich (1881); 2 Acorn Street, Woolwich (1884); 3 Portland Place, Woolwich (1885); 21 Paget Road, Woolwich (1891); 10 Dyson Street, Woolwich (1893); 2 Dicey Street, Woolwich (1894-1897); 31 Cedar Grove, Charlton (1898); 15 Marlton Street, Woolwich (1899); 27 Marlton Street, Greenwich (1900); 41 Janet Road, Canning Town (1901); 14 Bingley Road, Canning Town (1903); 13 Wightman Street, Canning Town (1907); 61 Martindale Road, Canning Town (1911); 14 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1915); 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1918-1939)
Occupation: after leaving the army George became a nut and bolt maker in the Royal Arsenal. After George moved to Canning Town he probably caught a river ferry each day to the Arsenal.
Deaths: George died in Whipps Cross Hospital in 1930, when aged 72.
Notes: On 15 December 1884, a George Copus was acquitted of horse stealing in Middlesex, but it is not known if this is the same person. Susan died in early 1949 when aged 82.
They lived here in 1911, taking the upper three rooms while the eight members of the Sackman had the lower rooms.
G4: Mary Anne Copus (1884-1953)
Birth: Mary Anne Copus was born in Woolwich on 1 August 1884. She was the first child of George and Susan.
Christening: on 17 August 1884 at Holy Trinity Church in Beresford Square, which was outside the gates of the Royal Arsenal.
Marriage (1): to James Dence on 21 December 1902 at St Luke’s Church on Ruscoe Road in Caning Town. She was aged 18 and he was 21.
Spouse history (1): James had been born during 1881. It’s been difficult to find any information on his early life. He was possibly born in Medway, Kent to James Henry Dence and Mary Mowatt Mossman, although there is no record of the family on the 1891 census. James and Mary had been married for eight years by the time of the 1911 census. They had a smart terraced house on Bethell Avenue opposite a small park in the north of Canning Town. 29-year-old James was a general labourer at a sugar refinery. The 1901 census gives his birthplace as Scotland however.
Marriage (2): to Arthur Haisell during 1941 in West Ham. She was aged 56 and he was 44.
Spouse history (2): Arthur had been born on 12 March 1896 in the village of Lydd, near Folkstone in Kent, to bricklayer Joseph Haisell and Eliza Baker. They soon moved out to the nearby hamlet of Brenzett where by 1911 they lived in Church House. 15-year-old Arthur worked with his father as a bricklayer. He joined the merchant marine during the First World War. His record card describes him as being 5 feet 4 inches tall with light brown hair. He remained a mariner post-war, basing himself at Victoria Docks in Canning Town. In 1928 he was part of the crew of the Red Star liner SS Minnewaka when it arrived in New York.
Residences: when the census was taken in 1901, James and Mary lived with her maternal grandmother on Janet Road in Canning Town, just a few doors along from her own family. They shared with the three members of the Turner family, who had three rooms, while Mary, James and her grandmother had the use of four.
By 1921 James and Mary had been married for almost 20 years, although they did not have any children. They lived together on Invicta Road.
- Mary: 2 Acorn Street, Woolwich (1884); 3 Portland Place, Woolwich (1885); 21 Paget Road, Woolwich (1891); 10 Dyson Street, Woolwich (1893); 2 Dicey Street, Woolwich (1894-1897); 31 Cedar Grove, Charlton (1898); 15 Marlton Street, Woolwich (1899); 27 Marlton Street, Greenwich (1900); 55 Janet Road, Canning Town (1901-1902); 38 Bethell Avenue, Plaistow (1911); 28 Invicta Road, Canning Town (1921); 94A Heigham Road, East Ham (1939-1953)
- James: 55 Janet Road, Canning Town (1901); 38 Bethell Avenue, Plaistow (1911); 28 Invicta Road, Canning Town (1921)
- Arthur: Station Road, Lydd (1901); 7 Church House, Brenzett (1911-1919); 94A Heigham Road, East Ham (1939-1952)
Occupations: at the time of their marriage James laboured at the Royal Arsenal while Mary was a factory hand at the nearby India Rubber, Gutta-Percha & Telegraph Works Co. Ltd. in Silvertown. The factory made some of the first Bell’s patent telephones in the 1880s, and a great quantity of the world’s first telegraph lines. Of particular interest at that time was the construction and laying the transatlantic submarine cables. James later became a dock labourer in a tobacco warehouse at the nearby Victoria Docks.
In 1939 Mary was a cook while Arthur was a general labourer.
Deaths: James died during 1927 when aged just 45. Arthur died in 1952 when aged 56. Mary survived him for only a year and died in Whipps Cross Hospital on 7 February 1953 when aged 68. She left her estate of £787 3s 9d to her sister Florence Steel.
G4: George Copus (1885-1978)
Birth: George Copus was born in Woolwich on 30 December 1885. He was the second child of George and Susan.
Marriage: to Elizabeth Ann Adams on 27 May 1908 at the Register Office in Newham. He was aged 22 and she was 21.
Spouse history: Elizabeth had been born in a small terraced house at 15 Emma Street in Silvertown on 8 April 1887 to Charles Adams and his wife Elizabeth. Her father was a general labourer.
Children: (1) Elizabeth in 1909, (2) George in 1911, (3) Ethel in 1915, (4) Florence in 1919, (5) Phyllis in 1920, (6) Alice in 1922, (7) Gladys in 1924, (8) Arthur in 1927. Sadly, Alice and Gladys died in childhood.
Residences: the newlyweds first had a two-bed apartment on Randolph Road. By 1920 they had moved south onto the small strip of land between the docks and the Thames known as North Woolwich. Their terraced house on Winifred Street sat opposite a large sewage works and was likely an unpleasant place to live. They then briefly occupied a few properties on the main Albert Road before moving back to Winifred Street.
By 1945 they had moved to nearby Woodman Street where they called home until moving south of the Thames in 1961 to a new council house on Felixstowe Road in Plumstead.
- George: 21 Paget Road, Woolwich (1891); 10 Dyson Street, Woolwich (1893); 2 Dicey Street, Woolwich (1894-1897); 31 Cedar Grove, Charlton (1898); 15 Marlton Street, Woolwich (1899); 27 Marlton Street, Greenwich (1900); 41 Janet Road, Canning Town (1901); 14 Bingley Road, Canning Town (1903); 13 Wightman Street, Canning Town (1908); 2 Randolph Road, Canning Town (1909-1911); 7 Randolph Road, Canning Town (1915); 2A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1920-1922); 3A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1923-1936); 228 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1937); 306 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1938-1939); 14 Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1939); 188 Woodman Street, North Woolwich (1945-1960); 105 Felixstowe Road, Abbey Wood (1961-1965)
- Elizabeth: 21 Emma Street, Silvertown (1891); Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town (1908); 2 Randolph Road, Canning Town (1909-1911); 7 Randolph Road, Canning Town (1915); 2A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1920-1922); 3A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1923-1936); 228 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1937); 306 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1938-1939); 14 Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1939); 188 Woodman Street, North Woolwich (1945-1960); 105 Felixstowe Road, Abbey Wood (1961-1965); 17 Wisley Road, Clapham (1965)
Occupations: in 1908 George was a ship’s fireman (more commonly known as a stoker) for Shaw Savill & Co., which operated several passenger liners on the Britain to New Zealand route. By 1921 he had traded the long voyages to New Zealand for working on the free ferry that crossed the River Thames at Woolwich. By 1939 he was a general labourer, while Florence was a rubber goods packer.
Deaths: Elizabeth died at 9 Hallsland Way, Hurst Green, in Oxted on 28 February 1965, aged 77. She left her estate of £6,384 (£82k today) to Joyce Whyte. George survived her by 13 years and died in London on 8 May 1978, aged 92. He was buried in Plumstead Cemetery eight days later.
G3: Elizabeth Ada Copus (1909-1992)
Birth: Elizabeth Ada Copus was born in Canning Town on 13 October 1909. She was the first child of George and Elizabeth. She was commonly known by her middle name.
Christening: on 3 November 1909 at St Matthew’s.
Marriage: to Herbert John Dimmick on 25 June 1932 in Newham. She was aged 22 and he was 26.
Spouse history: Bert had been born in Canning Town on 26 May 1906, the last of the eight children of William Thomas Dimmick and Catherine Ann Gillespe. He was christened a few weeks later at The Ascension Church and lived very close to his future wife on Leyes Road. His father and elder brother were dock labourers. Bert was destined to join them, and despite only being aged 15 in 1921 worked as an engine cleaner for the Port of London at the Albert Dock.
Children: (1) Leslie in 1933, (2) a girl in 1935. Sadly, Leslie died within a year.
Residences: the newlyweds had a house around the corner from Elizabeth’s parents on the Albert Road which ran through the peninsula, moving to nearby Rhea Street by 1936. Before the outbreak of war, they had moved east to Dagenham in Barking where they lived on the large Becontree estate. Their house on Wren Road backed onto a large park which had tennis courts and pavilions.
- Ada: 2 Randolph Road, Canning Town (1909-1911); 7 Randolph Road, Canning Town (1915); 2A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1920-1922); 3A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1923-1932); 244 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1933); 27 Rhea Street, North Woolwich (1936-1937); 65 Wren Road, Dagenham (1939-1977)
- Bert: 182 Leyes Road, Canning Town (1906-1911); 24 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1921); 244 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1933); 27 Rhea Street, North Woolwich (1936-1937); 65 Wren Road, Dagenham (1939-1977)
Occupations: after moving to Dagenham, Bert became a lorry driver, perhaps in one of the nearby car plants such as Ford or Briggs.
Deaths: Ada died in Havering, London, in August 1992 when aged 82. Bert survived her for 18 months, dying in Brentwood in December 1993 while aged 87.
Note: they potentially had four more children but further information is required.
G2: Leslie Herbert Dimmick (1933-1934)
Birth: Leslie Herbert Dimmick was born in Newham during 1933. He was the first child of Herbert and Elizabeth.
Residence: 244 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1933)
Death: on 29 September 1934 when aged just 18 months.
G3: George Henry Copus (1911-1973)
Birth: George Henry Copus was born in Newham on 24 November 1911. She was the second child of George and Elizabeth.
Marriage: to Annie Georgina Haggerty on 18 March 1939 in Newham. He was aged 27 and she was 22.
Spouse history: Annie had been born on 26 February 1917 to labourer Alexander Haggerty and his wife Annie Jackson. They too lived in North Woolwich, where they had a terraced house on Arthur Street which was quite literally adjacent to the docks. Annie was christened at nearby St Mark’s Church in March.
Children: two boys in 1939 and 1942.
Residences: the newlyweds initially lived on Oriental Road, just a couple of streets down from Annie’s childhood home. The area was very heavily bombed during following year’s Blitz, and that their second child was born in Bournemouth during 1942 perhaps indicates that they were evacuated.
From at least 1964 they lived in an apartment on Ripley Road, one of the many streets of terraced housing in eastern Canning Town and close to the huge West Ham Stadium.
- George: 7 Randolph Road, Canning Town (1915); 2A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1920-1922); 3A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1922-1936); 228 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1937); 306 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1938-1939); 158 Oriental Road, Silvertown (1939); 60 Ripley Road, Canning Town (1964-1973)
- Annie: 12 Arthur Street, Silvertown (1917-1921); 158 Oriental Road, Silvertown (1939); 60 Ripley Road, Canning Town (1964-1973)
Occupations: George was a general labourer in a sugar factory.
Deaths: George died at home on 25 March 1973 when aged 61 and was buried in West Ham Cemetery. Annie survived him for 17 years and died at Grove Park, a leafy road of large detached and semi-detached houses in Wanstead, on 28 December 1990 when aged 73.
G3: Ethel May Copus (1915-1992)
Birth: Ethel May Copus was born in a terraced house at 7 Randolph Road in Canning Town on 22 December 1915. She was the third child of George and Elizabeth.
Christening: on 16 January 1916 at The Ascension Church on Baxter Road in Caning Town.
Marriage: to Richard Hoole during 1938 in Woolwich. She was aged 22 and she was 26.
Spouse history: Richard had been born in the Chorlton-on-Medlock area of Manchester on 8 January 1911 to Richard Hoole and Elizabeth Robinson. The family lived in a terraced house on Jessel Street in the dense residential neighbourhood to the south of Piccadilly station. Richard was christened during February at nearby St Paul’s Church. His father was a self-employed dairyman and originally from Seed Lee, while his mother was from Tarlscough in Lancashire. He had a 3-year-old brother, George, who had been born in Southport. Richard’s father enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corps in August 1915 and was sent to France during 1916 where he remained for the duration. He returned safely and began to work as a conductor on the electric trams of the South Lancashire Tramway. The family lived on Swan Lane in the village of Hindley, between Wigan and Leigh.
Children: three girls and a boy between 1939 and 1947.
Residences: on the outbreak of war in 1939, Ethel and her baby lived with Richard’s parents on Smallwood Lane in the hamlet of Dangerous Corner in Lancashire, about two miles north of Leigh. It is not certain where Richard was, but since the Register only recorded civilians, it is possible that he was in the military. The family lived in this area for the rest of their lives.
- Ethel: 7 Randolph Road, Canning Town (1915); 2A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1920-1922); 3A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1923-1936); 228 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1937); 151 Smallwood Lane, Leigh (1939)
- Richard: 7 Jessel Street, Manchester (1911); 45 Swan Lane, Hindley (1921)
Deaths: Richard died in Leigh on 3 June 1990 when aged 79 and was cremated five days later. Ethel survived him for two years and was cremated on 11 December 1992, aged 76. She is buried at Atherton Cemetery.
G3: Florence Emily Copus (1919-1993)
Birth: Florence Emily Copus was born in Newham on 14 March 1919. She was the fourth child of George and Elizabeth.
Christening: on 5 April 1919 at The Ascension Church on Baxter Road in Caning Town.
Marriage: to William Edward Bradley during 1939 in Woolwich. She was aged 19.
Children: two boys in 1941 and 1946.
Occupations: in 1939, 20-year-old Florence worked as a rubber goods packer in one of the factories in Silvertown.
Residences: 2A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1920-1922); 3A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1923-1936); 14 Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1939)
Deaths: Florence died in Tower Hamlets in December 1993 when aged 74.
G3: Phyllis Mary Copus (1920-?)
Birth: Phyllis Mary Copus was born in Woolwich on 25 September 1920. She was the fifth child of George and Elizabeth.
Christening: on 17 October 1920 in Newham.
Marriage: to Chares Arthur Thomas Saddington at the end of 1939 in Woolwich. She was aged 18 and he was 21.
Spouse history: Chares had been born in West Ham on 8 November 1917, one of at least six children of Charles Saddington and his wife Lillian Elizabeth Tilston. He was christened at St John’s in November, at which time the family lived a stone’s throw from his future wife on Fernhill Street. By 1921 they had moved to Muir Street where his father was a labourer for the Anglo-American Oil Co. at the adjacent Royal Albert Dock. When the National Register was taken Charles lived around the corner on Albert Road and worked as a builder.
Children: two girls in 1940 and 1950.
Residences: by the mid-1960s they had a new flat on Wallace Road in the north of Canning Town. Phyllis lived in a flat on Silverland Street in North Woolwich between 2003-2004.
- Phyllis: 2A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1920-1922); 3A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1923-1936); 306 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1939); 46 Wallace Road, Plaistow (1964); 4A Silverland Street, North Woolwich (2003-2004)
- Charles: 13 Fernhill Street, North Woolwich (1917); 26 Muir Street, North Woolwich (1921); 286 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1939)
Deaths: Charles died in the area during 1983 when aged 66.
G3: Alice Maud Copus (1922-1924)
Birth: Alice Maud Copus was born in Woolwich during 1922. She was the sixth child of George and Elizabeth.
Residences: 2A Winifred Street (1922); 3A Winifred Street (1923-1924) – all North Woolwich.
Death: on 20 July 1924 when aged just 2.
G3: Gladys Winifred Copus (1924)
Birth: Gladys Winifred Copus was born in Woolwich during 1924. She was the seventh child of George and Elizabeth.
Residences: 3A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1924)
Death: on 16 February 1924 when just a few weeks old.
G3: Arthur Albert Copus (1927-2010)
Birth: Arthur Albert Copus was born in Woolwich during 1927. He was the eighth child of George and Elizabeth.
Residences: Arthur lived at home with his parents well into the 1960s. He may have lived on Grenadier Street in 2002.
- 3A Winifred Street, North Woolwich (1927-1936); 228 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1937); 306 Albert Road, North Woolwich (1938-1939); 188 Woodman Street, North Woolwich (1945-1960); 105 Felixstowe Road, Abbey Wood (1961-1965)
Death: on 28 September 2010 when aged 82.
G4: Florence Emily Copus (1887-?)
Birth: Florence Emily Copus was born in Woolwich on 14 May 1887. She was the third child of George and Susan.
School: enrolled at the Lombard Wall School on Woolwich Road in 1899.
Marriage: to Joseph Steel during 1907 in Newham. She was aged 19 and he was 26.
Spouse history: Joseph had been born in West Ham on 14 February 1880.
Children: it’s not thought that they had any children of their own, but they raised two of Flo’s nephews from her brother Joseph.
Occupations: in 1911 Flo worked as a cover maker at the India Rubber, Gutta-Percha & Telegraph Works Co Ltd. in Silvertown. Joseph was a labourer at the Royal Victoria Docks.
Residences: in 1921 they lived with Flo’s family on King George Avenue, squeezing seven adults and three children into the small terraced house. There was little change over the next two decades with the group still living together on the outbreak of war.
- Florence: 21 Paget Road, Woolwich (1891); 10 Dyson Street, Woolwich (1893); 2 Dicey Street, Woolwich (1894-1897); 31 Cedar Grove, Charlton (1898); 15 Marlton Street, Woolwich (1899); 27 Marlton Street, Greenwich (1900); 41 Janet Road, Canning Town (1901); 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1921-1939)
- Joseph: 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1921-1939)
Note: there were two Florence Emily Copus born in London within a few months of each other, which is a common cause of confusion and mistakes in online trees.
G4: Benjamin John Copus (1889-1971)
Birth: Benjamin John Copus was born in Woolwich on 22 May 1889. He was the fourth child of George and Susan.
School: enrolled at the Lombard Wall School on Woolwich Road in 1899.
Military service: in July 1907, 17-year-old Benjamin enlisted into the militia, joining the 6th Battalion, The Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment). He was given service number 4740 and described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighting 108 lbs, with a dark complexion, and brown eyes and hair. He served for one year, which included 49 days of drill, but was then discharged after declining to join the new Territorial Force following an army reorganisation.
Marriage: to Elizabeth Leach during 1911 in Newham. He was aged 21 and she was 19.
Spouse history: Elizabeth had been born in Ireland on Christmas Eve 1891.
Children: (1) Benjamin in 1912.
Residences: the newlyweds lodged on Leyes Road in east Canning Town with Arthur and Rose Pidgeon and their two children. By 1921 the young family had moved south of the river to Charlton, where they had a house on Floyd Road. Living with them was Elizabeth’s niece Mary Leach, a 14-year-old corset maker.
In 1939 they moved to the pleasant Delafield Road, and although it had larger than average houses it backed on to the railway lines. They lived here with their son Benjamin and his wife Emily, moving together to nearby Swallowfield Road by 1945, where they would live for the next 12 years.
In 1958 Benjamin and Elizabeth moved to a flat in a complex on Charlton Road.
- Benjamin: 21 Paget Road, Woolwich (1891); 10 Dyson Street, Woolwich (1893); 2 Dicey Street, Woolwich (1894-1897); 31 Cedar Grove, Charlton (1898); 15 Marlton Street, Woolwich (1899); 27 Marlton Street, Greenwich (1900); 41 Janet Road, Canning Town (1901); 14 Bingley Road, Canning Town (1903); 13 Wightman Street, Canning Town (1907); 27 Leyes Road, Canning Town (1911); 23A Floyd Road, Charlton (1918-1938); 87 Delafield Road, Charlton (1939); 54 Swallowfield Road, Woolwich (1945-1957); 50 East Mascalls, Charlton (1958-1965)
- Elizabeth: 27 Leyes Road, Canning Town (1911); 23A Floyd Road, Charlton (1918-1938); 87 Delafield Road, Charlton (1939); 54 Swallowfield Road, Woolwich (1945-1957); 50 East Mascalls, Charlton (1958-1965)
Occupations: Benjamin initially worked with his brother Bill as a general labourer in the Henry Tate & Sons sugar refinery in Silvertown. He then became a mariner for a while, certainly between 1918-1921, with the census showing that he was an unemployed stoker. By 1939 Benjamin had become a gravedigger.
Deaths: Benjamin died in Hitchin during 1971 when aged 81. Elizabeth survived him for two years, dying in the same place, also aged 81.
G3: Benjamin James Copus (1912-1996)
Birth: Benjamin James Copus was born in Newham on 25 March 1912. He was the only child of Benjamin and Elizabeth.
Marriage: to Emily Banks during 1937 in Greenwich. He was aged 24 and she was 17.
Spouse history: Emily had been born in Dartford on 7 April 1919 to John Banks and Alice Jane Freeman.
Children: (1) Patrick in 1940, (2) in a girl in 1948, (3) a boy in 1949.
Residences: the couple lived with Benjamin’s parents in a long-term arrangement that lasted almost 20 years. They finally lived alone as a family from 1957 after his parents moved into a place of their own.
- Benjamin: 23A Floyd Road, Charlton (1918-1938); 87 Delafield Road, Charlton (1939); 54 Swallowfield Road, Woolwich (1945-1965)
- Emily: 23A Floyd Road, Charlton (1938); 87 Delafield Road, Charlton (1939); 54 Swallowfield Road, Woolwich (1945-1965)
Occupations: in 1939 Benjamin was a general labourer.
Deaths: Emily died in Hitchin during 1981 when aged 61. Benjamin survived her for 22 years and died in Stevenage during January 1996 when aged 83.
G4: William James Copus (1891-?)
Birth: William James Copus was born in Woolwich on 10 November 1891. He was the fifth child of George and Susan.
School: enrolled at the Lombard Wall School on Woolwich Road in 1899.
Military service: William Copus enlisted into the army during November 1915 when aged 24. He was not mobilised until April 1916 and initially joined the 2/5th Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment, a second-line home defence unit. After a year he was posted to France to join the 1/8th Battalion, Worcester Regiment, arriving in July 1917. A few weeks later and his war was over, having suffered gunshot wounds to the hands. He was evacuated back to England to convalesce, before being posted to the 3/7th Reserve Battalion at Blyth. He was discharged in April 1918 as physically unfit for war service due to a heart defect.
Occupations: 19-year-old Bill worked with his brother Benjamin as a general labourer in the nearby Henry Tate & Sons sugar refinery. After the war he became a mariner, probably working on the ships that sailed from Victoria Docks. By 1939 he was a builder’s labourer.
Residences: Bill lived at home with his mother until at least 1939 when he was almost 50 years old.
- 21 Paget Road, Woolwich (1891); 10 Dyson Street, Woolwich (1893); 2 Dicey Street, Woolwich (1894-1897); 31 Cedar Grove, Charlton (1898); 15 Marlton Street, Woolwich (1899); 27 Marlton Street, Greenwich (1900); 41 Janet Road, Canning Town (1901); 14 Bingley Road, Canning Town (1903); 13 Wightman Street, Canning Town (1907); 61 Martindale Road, Canning Town (1911); 14 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1915); 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1918-1939)
G4: Ada Copus (1893)
Birth: Ada Copus was born in Woolwich on 30 March 1893. She was the sixth child of George and Susan.
Christening: on 16 April 1893 at Holy Trinity Church in Beresford Square.
Residences: 10 Dyson Street, Woolwich (1893)
Death: on 18 December 1893 and was buried at Holy Trinity.
G4: Albert Copus (1894-1980) and Mary Sherlock (1894-1969)
Birth: Albert Sidney Copus was born in the family home on Dicey Street in Woolwich on 10 August 1894. She was the seventh child of George and Susan.
Marriage: to Mary Veronica Magdalene Sherlock on 21 August 1915 in The Ascension Church in Caning Town. He was aged 21 and she was 20.
Spouse history: Mary had been born in West Ham on 10 October 1894 to Thomas Sherlock and Johanna Downs. In 1901 they had a small house just around the corner from her future husband on Garvary Road. It was shared with the widowed Alice Lyade and her two sons-in-law. Her father was a labourer in one of the nearby docks. The 1911 census captured 16-year-old Mary living with her now widowed mother in two rooms of another house on Garvary Road. The remainder of the house was occupied by a retired couple.
Children: (1) Albert in 1916, (2) Doris in 1919, (3) Rose in 1922, (4) Joan in 1924, (5) George in 1926, (6) James in 1928, (7) Sidney in 1930, (8) Ronald in 1932, (9) Terence in 1934, (10) a girl in 1936. Sadly, James died as a baby.
Occupations: in 1911 Albert was aged 16 and worked as an assistant in Stones & Sons tailors, which today is located on Savile Row. Post-war he worked with his father and brother-in-law Joseph Steel as a labourer at the nearby Victoria Docks.
Military service: Albert enlisted into The King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 20 January 1916 with service number R/32714 and served in the trenches of the First World War as a Lewis gunner. His leg was seriously injured by shrapnel at Ypres during 1916, including a shattered right kneecap. He then served at the regimental depot until being discharged in December 1918 as medically unfit for further war service. He received the Silver War Badge, awarded to those who served during the war but were discharged before the expiry of a normal term of engagement. He also received the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Residences: post-war the couple lived with Albert’s parents as they began to grow a family, with the 1921 census revealing that they were squeezing seven adults and three children into their small terraced house. By 1939 they had a semi-detached house on Barclay Road, about a mile north of their previous home.
- Albert: 2 Dicey Street, Woolwich (1894-1897); 31 Cedar Grove, Charlton (1898); 15 Marlton Street, Woolwich (1899); 27 Marlton Street, Greenwich (1900); 41 Janet Road, Canning Town (1901); 14 Bingley Road, Canning Town (1903); 13 Wightman Street, Canning Town (1907); 61 Martindale Road, Canning Town (1911); 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1915-1922); 18 Barclay Road, Plaistow (1939-1965)
- Mary: 94 Garvary Road, Canning Town (1901); 29 Garvary Road, Canning Town (1911-1915); 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1915-1922); 18 Barclay Road, Plaistow (1939-1965)
Deaths: Mary died in Newham during 1969 when aged 75, while Albert survived her for 11 years and died in St Andrews Hospital in the Bromley area of London on 8 March 1980 when aged 85.
Notes: the 1939 Register records them living with their 23-year-old son Albert and 16-year-old daughter Rose, but even with the two redacted records this still leaves three other children unaccounted for, aged between 14 and 3.
G3: Albert James Copus (1916-1999)
Birth: Albert James Copus was born in West Ham on 30 May 1916. He was the first child of Albert and Mary.
Military service: during the Second World War, Albert initially served with the army as a physical training instructor. He joined the independent Commando Brigade when they were first formed and took part in various raids on the French coast. After Dieppe, Albert returned to the Seaforth Highlanders as a sergeant and served in Swaziland training various African units. He finished his war service in Burma.
Marriage: to Jane Maude Muffett in the summer of 1941 in West Ham. He was aged 24 and she was 21.
Spouse history: Jane had been born in West Ham on 18 September 1919, and was at least the seventh child of Edward Edwin Muffett and Lucy Honor Panter. It is possible that she was known as Maud. They lived on Philip Street in the north of Canning Town. Her father spent his life working as a riverside labourer for Lyle’s sugar refinery on Plaistow Wharf.
Children: a boy in 1947.
Occupations: in 1939 Albert worked in a sugar factory while Jane was a machine operator in a confectionary factory. Albert worked for most of his life as a dock labourer.
Residences: the couple lived in a terraced house on Cumberland Road in Plaistow from at least 1964, which would be their home for the remainder of their lives.
- Albert: 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1916-1922); 18 Barclay Road, Plaistow (1939); 77 Cumberland Road, Plaistow (1964-1999)
- Jane: 8 Philip Street, Plaistow (1921-1939); 77 Cumberland Road, Plaistow (1964-2010)
Deaths: Albert died in Newham Hospital on 16 May 1999 when aged 82. Jane died on 26 Apr 2016 when aged 96.
G3: Doris Mary Copus (1919-1989)
Birth: Doris Mary Copus was born in West Ham on 13 October 1919. She was the second child of Albert and Mary.
Christening: on 31 October 1919 in the Ascension Church on Baxter Road in Caning Town.
Marriage: to Herbert John Oakes during 1938 in West Ham. She was aged 18 and he was 19.
Spouse history: Bert had been born in Romford on 19 April 1918, and was at least the fifth child of John Oakes and Alice Caroline Harvey. In 1921 they lived on Garfield Terrace off Green Lane, with his father working as a builder’s labourer for Hammond Miles Ltd.
Children: it’s possible that they had several children together, but further confirmation is required.
Residences: in 1939 the newlyweds lived in the Seven Kings area of Ilford where they had a flat on the main Green Lane.
- Bert: 4 Garfield Terrace, Green Lane, London Borough of Redbridge (1921); 232 Green Lane, Ilford (1939)
- Doris: 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1919-1922); 232 Green Lane, Ilford (1939)
Occupations: in 1939 Bert worked as a dock labourer for the Port of London Authority and was also in their ‘General Service Squad’.
Deaths: Doris died in Redbridge in November 1989 when aged 70. Bert survived her for eight years and died on 22 December 1997.
G3: Rose Florence Copus (1922-1996) and Herbert Jones (1923-1984)
See the Jones/Peters group for the history of Rose and Bert.
G3: Joan Vera Copus (1924-2013)
Birth: Joan Vera Copus was born in West Ham during 1924. She was the fourth child of Albert and Mary.
Marriage: to Thomas Arthur Cole during 1946 in West Ham. She was aged 22 and he was 20.
Spouse history: Thomas had been born on Menton Street on 25 September 1925 to John Cole and Margaret.
Children: unknown.
Residences: the couple emigrated to Australia, with Joan arriving in Freemantle onboard the SS Moreton Bay on 22 October 1951. Her intended place of residence was Claremont, Western Australia.
Deaths: Thomas died on 13 September 1986 in Middleton, Queensland, when aged 60. Joan survived him by 28 years and died aged 88 on 27 April 2013. They both have a memorial in Enfield Memorial Park in Adelaide.
G3: George Walter Copus (1926-2017)
Birth: George Walter Copus was born in West Ham on 24 May 1926. He was the fifth child of Albert and Mary.
Military service: George served with the Highland Light Infantry during the Second World War.
Marriage: to Betty Mildred Chaplin during 1950 in West Ham. He was aged 23 and she was 18.
Spouse history: Betty had been born in West Ham on 31 July 1931, one of the eight children of labourer John Chaplin and Ruth Hardy.
Children: (1) a boy in 1953.
Residences: 51 Patrick Road, Plaistow (1964-1965); Flat 13, Birchdown House, Rainhill Way, Bromley (2003)
Deaths: Betty died in Newham during April 2002 when aged 70. George survived her for 15 years and died on 10 January 2017 when aged 90.
G3: James Stanley Copus (1928-1929)
Birth: James Stanley Copus was born in West Ham during 1928. He was the sixth child of Albert and Mary.
Deaths: in 1929.
G3: Sidney Joseph Copus (1930-2011)
Birth: Sidney Joseph Copus was born in West Ham on 10 June 1930. He was the seventh child of Albert and Mary.
Occupations: truck driver.
Residences: 18 Barclay Road, Plaistow (1964-1965)
Death: on 29 April 2011 in Uckfield, East Sussex, when aged 80.
G3: Ronald Victor Copus (1932-2020)
Birth: Ronald Victor Copus was born in Plaistow on New Year’s’ Day 1932. He was the eighth child of Albert and Mary.
Military service: Ron served with The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders between 1950-55.
Marriage (1): to Rose E. Taylor during 1954 in West Ham. He was aged 22.
Marriage (2): to Beryl Zenia Byford on 15 October 1966 in West Ham. He was aged 34 and she was 24.
Spouse history: Beryl had been born in Rickmansworth on 3 December 1941 to Byford and Mitchell.
Children: two girls and a boy between 1966 and 1978.
Occupation: builder.
Residences: they settled in Boston, Lincolnshire.
- Ronald: 188 Eastwood Road, Boston (2002-2019)
- Beryl: 188 Eastwood Road, Boston (2002-2009)
Deaths: Beryl died in Pilgrim Hospital on 22 May 2009 when aged 67 and was buried on 9 June. Ron survived her for 11 years and died in 2020.
G4: Ethel May Copus (1897)
Birth: Ethel May Copus was born in Woolwich on 6 May 1897. She was the eighth child of George and Susan.
Christening: on 10 May 1897 at St John’s Church on Wellington Street.
Residences: 2 Dicey Street, Woolwich (1897)
Death: on 15 May 1897 and was buried at Holy Trinity.
G4: Frederick Charles Copus (1898-1900)
Birth: Frederick Charles Copus was born in Woolwich on 6 September 1898. He was the ninth child of George and Susan.
Christening: on 28 March 1900 at St Paul on The Highway in Shadwell. It is not certain why this church was chosen since it is in Tower Hamlets on the opposite bank of the Thames.
Residences: 31 Cedar Grove, Charlton (1898); 15 Marlton Street, Woolwich (1899); 27 Marlton Street, Greenwich (1900)
Death: before his fist birthday and was buried on 21 April.
G4: Violet Maud Copus (1900-1901)
Birth: Violet Maud Copus was born in Woolwich during 1900. She was the 10th child of George and Susan.
Residences: 27 Marlton Street, Greenwich (1900); 41 Janet Road, Canning Town (1901)
Death: buried on 16 April 1901.
G4: Francis Victor Copus (1902)
Birth: Francis Victor Copus was born in West Ham during 1902. He was the 11th child of George and Susan.
Death: in December 1902.
G4: Ivy Evelyn Copus (1903-1910)
Birth: Ivy Evelyn Copus was born in Canning Town on 18 October 1903. She was the 12th child of George and Susan.
Christening: on 22 November 1903 at St Luke’s Church on Ruscoe Road in Canning Town.
Residences: 14 Bingley Road (1903); 13 Wightman Street (1907) – all in Canning Town.
Death: died aged just six and was buried on 6 May 1910.
G4: Joseph Stanley Copus (1907-1987)
Birth: Joseph Stanley Copus was born in Canning Town on 31 August 1907. He was the 13th child of George and Susan.
Christening: on 25 September 1907 at St Matthew’s Church on Ethel Road.
Marriage: to Elsie Annie Moody during 1931 in West Ham. He was aged 23 and she was 20.
Spouse history: Elsie had been born in Canning Town on 18 September 1910, the first child of George Moody and Annie Andrews, both originally from Ramsgate in Kent. Her father was a Trinity Service Seaman and they lived in a terraced house on Malmesbury Road. She was christened at near St Matthias Church in July 1912.
Children: (1) George in 1932, (2) Joseph in 1933, (3) Raymond in 1940, (4) a girl in 1944. For some unknown reason Stanley and Raymond were brought up by Joey’s sister Florence, although Raymond died very young.
Residences: in 1939 the couple lived on Victoria Dock Road, which was perhaps the home of Frederick Hambury. Between 1964-65, the couple lived with their son and Elsie’s mother in a typical terraced house on Ordnance Road in northwest Canning Town.
- Joseph: 13 Wightman Street, Canning Town (1907); 61 Martindale Road, Canning Town (1911); 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1918-1921); 304 Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town (1939); 75 Ordnance Road, Canning Town (1964-1965)
- Elsie: 45 Malmesbury Road, Canning Town (1911-1912); 304 Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town (1939); 75 Ordnance Road, Canning Town (1964-1965)
Occupations: in 1939 Joey was a general labourer and a volunteer in the ARP. He was a member of the rescue and repair unit whose role it was to help get the dead and injured out of bombed premises. He would be extremely busy in the forthcoming Blitz as the dockland area where they lived was very heavily bombed. Post-war he may have become a street trader.
Deaths: Elsie died in Newham during 1974 when aged 63. Joey survived her for 13 years and died in Newham during December 1987 when aged 80.
G3: George Stanley Copus (1932-2004)
Birth: George Stanley Copus was born in West Ham on 4 June 1932. He was the first child of Joseph and Elsie. He was commonly known by his middle name.
Residences: 42 King George Avenue, Canning Town (1939)
Death: died in London on 3 March 2004 when aged 71
Notes: he was raised by his maternal aunt Florence.
G3: Joseph James Copus (1933-1994)
Birth: Joseph James Copus was born in Canning Town on 28 August 1933. He was the second child of Joseph and Elsie. He was commonly known by his middle name.
Residences: 304 Victoria Dock Road, Canning Town (1939); 75 Ordnance Road, Canning Town (1964-1965); 34 Forty Acre Lane, Canning Town (1994)
Death: on 12 April 1994 when aged 60.
G3: Raymond Horace Copus (1940-1947)
Birth: Raymond Horace Copus was born in West Ham during 1940. He was the third child of Joseph and Elsie. He was commonly known by his middle name.
Death: in 1947 when aged just 7.
Notes: he was raised by his maternal aunt Florence.
G4: Walter Copus (1909-1913)
Birth: Walter Copus was born in Canning Town on 16 January 1909. He was the 14th and final child of George and Susan.
Christening: on 13 February 1909 at St Luke’s Church on Ruscoe Road.
Residences: 61 Martindale Road, Canning Town (1911)
Death: died when aged just 4 and was buried on 5 June 1913.