BX May 3, 1915

Mrs. H.D.E. Coppin, 17 Mohawk Street, on Sunday morning received official word from Ottawa that her husband, Lance-Corp. Harry D.E. Coppin, had been wounded.

Lance Corporal Harry Coppin, 11340 was a young Englishman, who had served with the 12th Lancers in the old land for a year. He was a painter by trade. He joined the first contingent from the Dufferin Rifles, as a private, and showed such efficiency and smartness during the training at Valcartier that on arrival in the old land he was promoted to Lance-Corporal. Only on Saturday Mrs. Coppin received a very cheery letter from her husband.
    
The official notification received by Mrs. Coppin was as follows: 

May 2, 1915

Sincerely regret to inform you, 11340, Lance-Corporal H. Coppin, 4th Battalion, officially reported wounded. Further particulars will be sent when received.

BX May 8, 1915

In Cardiff Hospital

A cable from London, Eng., gives the names of a number of Western Ontario soldiers who are patients at Cardiff, Wales hospital. Included in the list is the name of Pte. Harry Coppin of the 4th Battalion, who resided at the time of his enlistment in Brantford.

BX November 1, 1915
 
“I Want Someone To Take My Place” – Lance-Corp. Coppin – Two Brantford Heroes Return – Lance-Corp. H.D.E. Coppin and Pte. E.E. Hilborn Invalided Home – Both Wounded – Appreciate Attentions Shown to Them Since Wounding

Including among its precious cargo four Brantford wounded soldiers, the Allan liner “Corsican” arrived at Quebec last week. Lance-Corp. Harry D.E. Coppin arrived at his home on Mohawk Street on Saturday, Pte. E.E. Hilborn reached his destination at 49 Emilie Street on Sunday afternoon. The two other local soldiers are expected to arrive in the city today, they being Pte. John White, whose sister, Mrs. R. Jennings resides on Palace Street, and Pte. Phillips. Each of these soldiers enlisted with the first contingent of Dufferin Rifles and was wounded in the fight at Langemarck, when the Canadians saved the day, costly though the effort was. Pte. Hilborn stated yesterday that out of a battalion, only 168 men answered the roll call on the night of April 23. The first day of the big fight, and two days later an effort to form a battalion out of the remains of a whole brigade proved unsuccessful.

“Tell the boys of Brantford, that I want someone to go and take my place at the front,” said Lance-Corp. H.D.E. Coppin to an Expositor representative yesterday, adding that they could go feeling assured that the conditions in the training camps and at the front were much improved in comparison to those which existed at the first of the war. Lance-Corp. Coppin, who was wounded by an explosive bullet in the right arm at Ypres, has been granted his discharge and on Saturday returned to his home at 27 Mohawk Street. 

True to the characteristics of the British soldier, Lance-Corp. Coppin was reluctant to talk for publication, yielding only to express his deep appreciation of the treatment which he had received on all sides since the disastrous struggle at Langemarck. The returned soldier, in fact, could not find words to fairly express his gratitude, stating that every possible kindness and attention had been shown by officials and civilians alike.

Lance-Corp. Coppin is a young Englishman who served with the 12th Lancers in the Old Country for twelve months previous to the war. By trade he is a painter. He joined the first contingent of Dufferin Rifles as a private, and through his military efficiency was quickly promoted, he being raised to his present rank on the arrival at Salisbury Plain. Corp. Coppin crossed the Channel with the first contingent in February, but was listed among the Canadian casualties at Ypres. A rifle bullet entered his right arm, below the elbow, exploding in his arm at the elbow, and tearing the flesh severely. His arm has fortunately not been rendered useless, but he is unable to straighten it. He is also suffering from rheumatism and nervousness.