Page 205 - The Bugle 2018

News From Durham
Spennymoor Branch Service to the community
Spennymoor Branch though small in numbers (only 6 active members) are still enhancing their reputation. We now have 5 of the members with town’s highest award. “The scroll of Honour” for services to the community. The members are pictured with one of them.
Paving Stone Commemoration – Sjt Edward Cooper VC 12th Bn KRRC
EDWARD COOPER, known as Ned to friends, was born in Stockton in 1896, one of three sons and six daughters of a millwright. Leaving school at the age of 13, he started work as an errand boy at his uncle’s butchers shop, then as an assistant at the local Co-op, earning three shillings and sixpence a week.
Soon after the First World War broke out in August 1914 Edward joined up, lying about his age to be accepted. He was just 21 and became a Serjeant in the 12th Battalion, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps, when he earned his place in military history.
He won the Victoria Cross on 16 August, 1917 at the bloody battle of Langemark. The citation reads:
“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. Finding this did not silence the machine guns, immediately he 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 45 prisoners were captured. 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.”
Edward was presented with his medal by King George V, but his heroism didn’t stop there. In 1918, now a Lieutenant, he was awarded the Medaille Militaire, the highest award given by France to non-nationals for ‘gallantry beyond the call of duty’.
After the war, Edward returned to Stockton and married Iris. The couple had three sons, eight grand- children and many great-grandchildren. Edward became manager at the Co-op in Stockton, but the family lived in Thornaby until his retirement.
When the Second World War broke out in 1939, Edward was commis- sioned as a Major, taking command of the Home Guard Unit at Thornaby. In peacetime Ted served as President of Thornaby British Legion and was instrumental
in the restoration of the
town’s war memorial
in 1984. He was involved in the United Reformed Church, and served as a magistrate as well as President of the Stockton Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
He missed only one Remembrance Day commemoration in 68 years until his death at the age of 89, shortly after being made an Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees.
FINDING THIS DID NOT SILENCE THE MACHINE GUNS, IMMEDIATELY HE RUSHED FORWARD STRAIGHT AT THEM AND FIRED HIS REVOLVER
Stockton-on-Tees community turned out in great numbers to honour a local Hero of WW1
Sjt Edward (Ned) Cooper’s VC Stone in Stockton High Street
Stockton Branch BBQ
Stockton Branch BBQ was held at the Elm Tree Social Club in Stockton on 6 Aug 2017. The catering was organised by the Dawson brothers, John & Geoff, formerly LI/Rifles, by courtesy of 4 YORKS, for around 60 DLI Associ- ation members and their wives and partners. John also arranged for his brother-in-law to run a karaoke providing a great list of 1960s,70s & 80s hits, while Stockton Chairman, Dave Smith arranged for his friend Mike, ex-3LI, who travelled north from Leeds, to give us some
excellent Shadows music on his guitar (you’re booked for next time Mike). There was a good contingent from the Hartlepool Branch and other members from the Durham, Chester-le- Street, and Consett & Stanley branches. There is no doubt that everyone had a great feast and a fun afternoon. This is the third year that Stockton Branch has organised a BBQ on the first Sunday in August. This year was bigger and better than ever and plans are already in hand for next year.
THE RIFLES
REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS 211