Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | Freemasons VC Memorial | Great Queen Street | |
| 2. Book: | Beyond The Five Points | Pgs 233-235 | |
Awards & Titles: | Victoria Cross 1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal Defence Medal (1939-1945) Coronation Medal (1953) Queen's Silver Jubilee Medal Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal Medaille Militaire | ||
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
- The Second World War 1939-1945, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: King's Royal Rifle Corps |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
Detail :
See also: VC Online.
As a Sergeant of the 12th Battaliion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, awarded The Victoria Cross, London Gazette 14 September 1917 for his actions at Langemarck, Belgium on Thursday 16th August, 1917.
Citations & Commemorations :
"For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in attack. Enemy machine guns from a concrete blockhouse, 250 yards away, were holding up the advance of the battalion on his left, and were also causing heavy casualties to his own battalion. Sjt. Cooper, with four men, immediately rushed towards the blockhouse, though heavily fired on. About 100 yards distant he ordered his men to lie down and fire at the blockhouse. Finding this did not silence the machine guns, he immediately rushed forward straight at them and fired his revolver into an opening in the blockhouse. The machine guns ceased firing and the garrison surrendered. Seven machine guns and forty-five prisoners were captured in this blockhouse. By this magnificent act of courage he undoubtedly saved what might have been a serious check to the whole advance, at the same time saving a great number of lives."Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | St John's No. 80 E.C. | Durham |
| Joined : | Lodge of Unity No. 6003 E.C. | Durham |
| Joined : | Lodge of Justice No. 8361 E.C. | Durham |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
14th May 1929 | - | - |
Edward was initiated into Saint John's Lodge, Number 80, on 14th May 1929 whilst working in Sunderland. But, on moving back to Stockton-on-Tees, he joined the Lodge of Unity, Number 6003, on 22nd October 1945, and although he did not reach the Chair, he was appointed Past Assistant Provincial Grand Pursuivant for Durham in 1983. His youngest son Harry was initiated into the Lodge of Unity in May 1958, followed by another son Keith, in February 1965. When the Lodge of Justice, Number 8361, was consecrated at Billingham on 20 March 1971, Brothers Edward, Harry and Keith Cooper were among the Founders. And as a gesture of respect and affection, in May 1979 in Sunderland, about 200 Brethren assembled in Saint John's Lodge, Number 80, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary in Freemasonry. He was pleased and proud to propose his grandson Graham, as a candidate for Initiation to the Lodge of Unity in April 1974.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley