Thomas Copeland - Lest We Forget

Thomas Copeland was born September 4, 1892 at North Bend, B.C., the son of John Copeland. By 1914 Thomas was working as an engineman for the Canadian Pacific Railroad out of the Revelstoke Division. He was an active member of the YMCA in Revelstoke.

Thomas Copeland enlisted with the 54th Battalion on May 22, 1915 at Vernon. His regimental number was 442036. He was 22 years old, single, 5’ 7” tall, with brown eyes and black hair. His religious affiliation was Anglican. Before leaving for the Vernon military camp a farewell dance was held at the Drill Hall with Thomas Copeland acting as a member of the reception committee. It was a time in the city of large and patriotic receptions, dances, parades and speeches and none more so on the day in July 1915 when the 100 recruits from Revelstoke left for Vernon.

Thomas Copeland died April 9, 1917 at the battle for Vimy Ridge. He was 24 years old. At the time of his death he was a Corporal in the 16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). He is buried at Lichfield Crater, Thelus, France.

Thomas Copeland is inscribed on St. Peter’s Anglican Chancel Memorial Screen. He is also listed on the YMCA Honor Roll. The Courthouse plaque inscribed his name as Copeland, T., while the Cenotaph plaque spelled it Copeland, C. Mount Copeland is not named after him, but after a different Copeland family.

Revelstoke recruits to the 54th Kootenay Battalion in June 1915. Thomas Copeland is among the men in this photograph.