(31) Col. Thomas Stephen Copinger

The only surviving son of Stephen Copinger (30.), Thomas Stephen Copinger of Leemount Co. Cork and Wimbledon, Surrey was born on 14th July 1845 in Dublin.  He married on 22nd February 1879, in Surrey, Aldegonde Emily Beytagh, a daughter of Edward Beytagh, Q.C., of Claremount, Co. Rosscommon, a member of a most respectable Catholic family, and connected with some of the best old stock among the Catholic landed gentry of Galway and Roscommon.

Thomas Stephen was a Captain and in the 24th Regiment of Foot, having scored 6,000 marks at his entrance examination.  He served in India and Africa in the 11th Foot, and was a man of considerable talent.  He took the interpretership of the regiment against even native professors when in India.  He attained the rank of Colonel in the 11th Regiment.

They had six children, three sons, born in Colchester, Rawal Pindi and Maidstone, only one of whom survived to adulthood, and three daughters.  

[Addition by Paul & Elizabeth Copinger 1st January 2000]

Cyril Douglas Copinger, the surviving son who was born in 1890 became a member of the 1st Battalion of the Northants Regiment.  He was killed in action at Auber Ridge, Festobert, France on 9th May 1915.  None of the three daughters married.  Mary Evelyn, known as May, died  on 15th March 1963 in Northumberland.  Aldegonde Emily the second daughter died in Dublin on 5th November 1951.  Nina Maude the youngest daughter obtained a B.A. Hons. degree and became a nun.  She died at Bishops Stortford, Herts., on 13th November 1970.