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Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 339

Pair: Sergeant R. Cooper, Royal Artillery, who received a 'mention' in 1901

India General Service 1895-1908, 3 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897, Tirah 1897-98 (69344 Bombdr. R. Cooper. B. By R. H. A.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 (69344 Gnr: R. Cooper. R.H.A.), contact marks, very fine (2)

Robert Cooper was born at Kirk Deighton, Yorkshire in 1867. Enlisting with the 1st Brigade, Northern Division, Royal Artillery at Sunderland on 2 November 1888 he was transferred to 'B' Battery, 'B' Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery. Posted to India on 2 October 1899 he was appointed Bombardier out there on 3 May 1891. He also twice suffered from injuries in undertaking his duties, the first at Meerut and the second at Rawalpindi.

Taking part in the British response to the distrubances on the Punjab Frontier in 1897 Cooper was part of the Samana expedition that same year. Posted back to Britain on 4 March 1899 he was there on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War. Transferring to 'N' Section, Maxim Guns Cooper on 20 December 1899 Cooper was posted to South Africa two days later.

Here he served for almost two years, being on of two men 'mentioned' in Lord Robert's dispatch of 4 September 1901 (London Gazette 10 September 1901). Towards the end of the campaign he was posted back to Britain, arriving on 16 October 1901 and being discharged on 1 November 1901.

This was not to be the end of Cooper's career however, with the outbreak of the Great War he returned to the colours on 6 September 1914. Joining the 8th Divisional Ammunition Column on 11 October 1914 he entered the war in France on 5 November 1914. He was to serve there for the duration, being appointed Corporal on 22 March 1917 and Sergeant on 2 February 1918.

Unfortunately Cooper's health began to fail towards the end of the war and he was posted to the 191st Prisoner of War Company on 10 August 1918. Returning to Britain on leave on 19 December 1918 he remained ther eand was demobilised on 11 February 1919; sold together with copied London Gazette entry, medal rolls and service papers.

Further entitled to the 1914 Star with clasp, British War and Victory Medals.

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Sold for
£350

Starting price
£210