Sir Alfred 'Andy' Cope
Encyclopedia
Sir Alfred ‘Andy’ Cope was a senior British civil servant.
(Waterloo), London
, the eldest of eleven children born to Alfred and Margaret. By the age of fourteen he was employed as an office clerk and ten years later, in 1901, he was working for the Inland Revenue
.
Following a career as a detective in H.M. Customs and Excise, Cope became Second Secretary at the Ministry of Pensions (1919–20). He was appointed Assistant Under-Secretary in Ireland during the Irish War of Independence
in 1920.
He played an important role in the attempt to secure a Truce. In April 1921, he helped bring about the abortive meeting between Sir James Craig and Éamon de Valera
in Dublin.
Following the Treaty, Cope assisted Sir Nevil Macready in supervising the withdrawal of British forces from Ireland.
He received a knighthood in 1922.
Early life
Cope was raised in LambethLambeth
Lambeth is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated southeast of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
(Waterloo), London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the eldest of eleven children born to Alfred and Margaret. By the age of fourteen he was employed as an office clerk and ten years later, in 1901, he was working for the Inland Revenue
Inland Revenue
The Inland Revenue was, until April 2005, a department of the British Government responsible for the collection of direct taxation, including income tax, national insurance contributions, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, corporation tax, petroleum revenue tax and stamp duty...
.
Following a career as a detective in H.M. Customs and Excise, Cope became Second Secretary at the Ministry of Pensions (1919–20). He was appointed Assistant Under-Secretary in Ireland during the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
in 1920.
He played an important role in the attempt to secure a Truce. In April 1921, he helped bring about the abortive meeting between Sir James Craig and Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
in Dublin.
Following the Treaty, Cope assisted Sir Nevil Macready in supervising the withdrawal of British forces from Ireland.
He received a knighthood in 1922.