1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 47163 Edward Cooil
- Age: 30
- From: Arbory, IOM
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
- K.I.A Monday 2nd July 1917
- Commemorated at: Perth Cem Zillebeke
Panel Ref: II.A.45
Edward was born on the 27th October 1884 in Ballacomish, Arbory, Isle of Man the son of John Thomas Cooil and his wife Margaret (née Kinvig) who were married on the 23rd November 1876 at Arbory. He was the youngest of nine children: sisters Elizabeth and Lydia, brothers Richard, John, Evan, William, Benjamin, and Robert.
The 1891 Census shows the family living at Ballacomish, Arbory, Isle of Man. His father, John, is not listed on the Census. His mother, Elizabeth, is listed as married aged 47, born in 1844 in the Isle of Man and occupation is as a fisherman’s wife. She has seven children living with her, Elizabeth aged 23, born 1868 and employed as a general servant, Richard aged 18, born 1873 and employed as a tailor’s apprentice, William aged 16, born 1875 has no occupation listed, Benjamin aged 14, born 1877, Robert aged 12, born 1879, and Evan aged 10, born 1881 are all listed as scholars and Edward is aged 7 born in 1885. The children were all born on the Isle of Man.
The 1901 Census shows the family now living at Ballacubbin, Colby, Arbory, Isle of Man. His father, John, is aged 62, born in 1839 and a farmer, he was born in the Isle of Man. His mother, Elizabeth, is aged 58, and she has no occupation listed. They have six children living with them, John is aged 29 is employed as a horseman, William is aged 25 has no occupation listed, Benjamin is aged 23 and is employed as a carpenter as is Evan who is now aged 19, Edward is aged 15 and employed as a yard boy and Lydia is aged 31, born and has no occupation listed.
The 1911 Census shows the family are still living at Ballacubbon. His father, John, is aged 72, and is a farmer, his mother, Margaret, is aged 68, William aged 36, working on the farm, Edward is aged 26, and also a farm worker.
Known as Eddie, he was employed at Knockaloe Internee Camp before the war.
He enlisted in August 1916 in Seaforth, Liverpool. His father sadly died a few months later.
As reported in the Isle of Man Times, on Saturday October 14th 1916
ARBORY.
Mr John Thomas Cooil, of Ballacubbon, Arbory, passed away on Monday, at the age of 76 years. The deceased gentleman (who is not to be confused with Mr John Thomas Cooil, of Ballagawne, Arbory) had been failing for some time, but the end was somewhat unexpected. Mr Cooil was a native of the parish of Arbory, and formerly followed the occupation of shoemaker, but had for many years been farming in a modest way at Ronague, and afterwards at Ballacubbon, which latter holding was his property. He was a devout Methodist, and up to comparatively recent years, when increasing age and deafness began to tell upon him, was an active worker in the Wesleyan Chapel and Sunday-school at Ronague. He was a man of very kindly, unassuming disposition, and was well respected by those with whom he came into contact. He leaves a widow, two daughters -Mrs John Moore, of Christian-road, Douglas, and Mrs Keig, widow of the late Mr James Keig. -Seven sons- John, in Port St. Mary Richard, in business as a tailor in Douglas; Benjamin, in Ballasala; Robert, in America; William, at home; and Evan and Edward, now serving with the Forces. Private Evan Cooil was home on leave at the time of his father's death. The funeral took place at Arbory Church-yard on Wednesday.
He enlisted in Seaforth and was serving with the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 47163 when he was killed in action on 02nd July 1917, aged 30.
Eddie now rests at Perth Cemetery (China Wall) in Belgium at II.A.45.
The cemetery was begun by French troops in November 1914 (the French graves were removed after the Armistice) and adopted by the 2nd Scottish Rifles in June 1917. It was called Perth (as the predecessors of the 2nd Scottish Rifles were raised in Perth), China Wall (from the communication trench known as the Great Wall of China), or Halfway House Cemetery. The cemetery was used for front line burials until October 1917 and contained 130 graves. It was not used again until after the Armistice, when graves were brought in from the battlefields and smaller cemeteries around Ypres. There are now 1,426 WW1 Commonwealth burials in the cemetery.
Her death was reported in the Isle of Man Examiner on Saturday April 21st 1917;
DEATH OF MRS. J. T. COOIL.
We regret to record the death of Mrs Margaret Cooil, widow of the late Mr J. T. Cooil, of Ballacubbon, Arbory, which took place suddenly on Tuesday. This lady, who was 74 years old, was held in high esteem in the district. For some time the family farmed at Ronague, but latterly at Ballacubbon. Mr Cooil passed away last October. The surviving children are: Mrs John Moore, Christian-road, Douglas; Mrs Keig, widow of the late Mr James Keig; and seven sons, viz., John, in Port St Mary; Richard, in business in Douglas; Benjamin, in Ballasalla; Robert, in America; William, at home; and Evan and Edward, at present serving in the Army. The interment takes place at Arbory to-day (Saturday).
The Isle of Man Examiner dated Saturday July 28th, 1917 reported Edwards death:
PRIVATE E COOIL KILLED
We regret to state that official notification is to hand that Private Edward Cooil (Kings Liverpool Regiment), of Ballycubbon, Arbory, was called upon to make the supreme sacrifice in France on July 2nd, at the age of 28 years. A comrade has written to the effect that Private Cooil was killed while engaged in making a reconnaissance of the enemy lines. Private Cooil was a brother of Mr. R. Cooil (tailor) Finch road, Douglas, and also of Mr. J. Cooil, Four Roads, Port St Mary.-- A brother of the deceased, Private Evan Cooil, was seriously wounded some months ago, and is now recuperating at a military convalescent camp.
A further report from the same newspaper dated Saturday August 04th 1917 reported the following;
Private Evan Cooil, of Ballycubbon, Arbory, who was wounded in the knee and face last March last, is at present home on convalescent leave. His brother, Pte. Edward Cooil was killed in France just a month ago.
His brother went back to the front and was taken prisoner during the German Spring Offensive.
As reported in the Isle of Man Examiner, Saturday June 29th 1918;
Private Evan Cooil, of Ballacubbon, Arbory, who has been missing since 26th March last, is now reported to be a prisoner of war in Germany. His brother, Private Edward Cooil, was killed in France on 2nd July last year.
Eddie’s name is inscribed on his parents’ gravestone in Arbory:
“Edward (Eddie), Youngest son of the above, who was killed while engaged in patrol work in France, 2nd July 1917, Aged 30 years. Thy will be done”
Eddie is commemorated on the following Memorials:
Arbory WW1 Memorial Tablet
The Manx National Memorial.
We currently have no further information on Edward Cooil, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
Killed On This Day.
(108 Years this day)Sunday 16th June 1918.
Pte 57615 Fred William Preddy
23 years old
(105 Years this day)
Thursday 16th June 1921.
Captain Leonard George Duncan
43 years old