I
have not found any of my direct family line, outside of my father, who had
involvement with the military. There were several uncles, aunts and cousins who
served during some various war periods between the 18th and 20th
centuries, in Canada, the United States and Britain, though. Their records have
not all been found, or available for inspection yet.
My
father joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 and served until 1946. My
wife, Linda’s father joined the Canadian Army in 1941 and was discharged in
1945. Neither saw direct action in theatres of war, perhaps fortunately for us.
Linda’s
maternal grandfather, Alexander Cooper, was a career army man with the
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). I wrote about him in my blog post last November
(Alexander
Cooper – Colour Sergeant, Cameronians, Scottish Rifles). He served
in Scotland, England, India and South Africa during a 23-year career, retiring
from service in 1908. Two of Alexander’s sons also served in the Cameronians,
one in the Great War and one in World War II. Alexander died in Glasgow,
Scotland, in 1927.
Alexander
Cooper Jr., born in 1895 in Lossiemouth, Morayshire, Scotland, joined the Cameronians
in November 1914 and was assigned to the 5th Battalion. He may have seen action in the Second Battle
of Ypres and/or at the Battle of Loos in 1915. His full record does not appear
to have been preserved. Alexander certainly fought on the front lines. He died
of wounds received in action in France on 4 April 1916 and is buried in Bethune
Town Cemetery, France.
Harry
Hilsdon Cooper, born in 1914 in Glasgow, Scotland we believe joined the army when
he was about 14 years old, possibly as part of the Cameronians Band; he was a
trumpet player. We do not have information from his military service record yet
so cannot confirm dates and postings. We do know he served with the 1st
Battalion in Burma during WWII. The battalion saw heavy fighting in the Burma
retreat of 1942, and later as part of the famous Chindit campaign in 1944. He
did come home safe and uninjured. Harry married in 1945 and with his wife
raised a family of five. He died in Liverpool, England, in 1996.
Another
of Alexander Sr.’s sons, John Walker Cooper, served with the Royal Canadian
Corps of Signals during WWII. His rank was Signalman as shown on his 1941
marriage record when he was posted in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. We do
not yet know any details of his service record. John and his wife had three
children. He died in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, in 1987.
Alexander
Cooper Jackson, was born in Govan, Scotland, in 1898. In spite of the
similarity in his name to Linda’s grandfather, he was only a first (once
removed) cousin of the man. Alexander Cooper Jackson came to Canada in 1912,
aged 14, to live with an aunt in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Alexander joined the
Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force in July 1915. He was part of the 78th
Battalion Canadian Infantry, 100th Winnipeg Grenadiers, and shipped
out to France in May 1916. He was in France on 8 August 1918 when he was
killed. The circumstances stated on his service record indicate “He was with his battalion following up the
general advance on the morning of August 8th, 1918. On reaching the
village of Hangard the enemy dropped a barrage of heavy shells instantly
killing Private Jackson and six others.” He was buried in the Caix British
Cemetery, France.
Today
we remember and appreciate all those who served and sacrificed.
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| Bethune Town Cemetery and Caix British Cemetery, France |
