LATE CAPTAIN COOPER.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15750, 17 November 1916, Page 2

LATE CAPTAIN COOPER.

A MOST INTREPID FIGHTER-. Major Hubbard, officer commanding the No. 11 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps in France, in a letter to Mr Justice Cooper, says:—"l have to confirm the sad news, that you will have heard, that your gallant son was killed yesterday morning about nine o'clock. His Nieuport Scout fell when about 200 feet Tip, a,nd he died a quarter of an hour afterwards without recovering consciousness. I am glad to say that he suffered no pain at all. lie was buried this afternoon with as full military honours as was possible under active service conditions. About fifteen of his brother officers, 80 N.C.O.s and men, and a filing party followed him to the graveyard,- where the service was conducted* by fSapt-ain Ford, the Presbyterian Army Chaplain. As wood and labour are very scarce I here, coffins are not generally provided, hut two of the N.C.O.'s and a mechanic, all skilled wood-workers, voluntarily gave up their night's rest last night and made one, in which he was buried. On a brass plate, screwed Ito the lid, the following inscription was punched, as we had no materials 1 for engraving: 'Captain H. A. Cooper, R.F.C., S.R. Killed on active service. 21.-6.16. Honoured and respected by all.' I cannot adequately tell you how much we all loved' and admired your son. To me it is a very great personal loss. Not only was he a most admirable Flight Commander, a highlyskilled, flyer, and a most intrepid fighter, but he was the cleanest, straightest, truest man I have ever met. He has had very many fights in lie air—his last on the 18th when he pursued eleven hostile aeroplanes, and attacked them single-handed. He has left a gap in the squadron that cannot be filled, but we shall always remember him with pride and affection. With very sincere sympathy with you, believe mo, yours sincerely, T. O'B. flubbard, Major." Major Hubbard also forwards the following message received by himself from the Anti-Aircraft Gunners: "All the Archies in the Third Army want to send their deepest sympathy to you and all No. 11 Squadron for the loss you have sustained in Captain's Cooper's death. We know that you have lost one of your best men, and one whose work in the air we have all admired."

The Rev. A- H. Ford, who officiated at the funeral of Captain Cooper, in a letter to Mr Justice Cooper, says:—"l trust it may be sonic comfort to you in your great toss to know how greatly he was esteemed and loved in the Corps, which was shown at his funeral by the loving offices and respect paid to him by both officers and men. He is buried in Aubigny cemetery, two miles east of Bcrles, nine miles north-west of Arras."

Lieutenant A. King writes:—"J was your son's observer during a long period out here in France, and there was no pilot with whom I felt more confident. He was liked everywhere he went, and was a great friend of mine and of ercryone else in No. 11 Squadron. Whenever a difficult task was allotted .to him ho always saw it through regardless of the danger. I was very fond of him indeed, and feel his loss more than T c&n pay. Herbert was one of the noblest fellows I have ever had the honour to know intimately."