©Sandra Copas

Robert James “Bob” Copas

Bob was born at 78 Gloucester Road, Newbury on 8th. November, 1918. His father, Francis Victor “Frank” Copas was a butcher working for Liddiards and later as Retail Butcher Manager for Mrs Cuff in Inches Yard, Newbury. His mother, Daisy Annie nee Hartridge, was born in Bromley, Kent where her father was a Master Butcher with his own shop in Palace Road. Before their marriage, Daisy was a ladies maid for Lady Cross at the Manor House in Aston Tirrold near Didcot, Oxfordshire.

Bob went to the council primary school and St Bartholomew’s Grammar School, Newbury. In 1935 he was apprenticed to learn the trade of gas fitter but, was released by the Corporation of Newbury Gas Department to join the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm in 1939. He had great memories of times abroad in Ceylon, Malta and the West Indies. On home leave he met his future wife, Kathleen Blake, whose family lived in Holborn, London. They married on 19th. July, 1952 and began their life together in a caravan on a farm near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, as Bob was stationed near there at RNAS Goldcrest.

Bob was released from Naval Service in April, 1953 and they returned to live at his family home in Rectory Close, Newbury. Their daughter was born in 1953 and their son in 1957. He worked at Opperman Gears and later took on running a newsagent’s shop in Morden, Surrey. They returned to live in East Ilsley and Kingsclere with Bob travelling to work as an electrical contractor.

He had a passion for motorbikes and cars, probably fired up by his uncle and cousins, Fred, Bert and Geoff Morris, who were in the motor trade; with Bert being a motor mechanic for the racing driver, Raymond Mays. At one time, he restored a rare Autovia, which had the numberplate ASA 1.

He died on 27th. January, 1984 after suffering from lung cancer.

His casket of ashes and those of his wife Kathleen, nee Blake, 1928- 2003 were placed in the grave of Francis Victor Copas through the lid towards the back, left hand side

Sources:Personal Research