Alfred Cope was born in Wolverhampton in 1893, the son of Arthur and France Cope. In 1901 he was living with his parents and brother James at 1 court, St Peter’s Square. He attended St Peter’s School. In 1915 he married Emily E. Evans, and they had a son, Alfred J., the same year.
Alfred enlisted in the 9th Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment (number 10372) and became a Lance-Corporal. According to an article that appeared in the Midland Counties Express on 25 November 1916, he received mortal wounds in battle, and succumbed to the effects of these wounds on 5 July 1916. He is commemorated at the Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, as well as on the memorial at Heath Park.