LATE CAPTAIN COOPER

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2932, 18 November 1916, Page 10

LATE CAPTAIN COOPER

* A MOST INTREPID FIGHTER COMRADES EXPRESS SYMPATHY. Major Hubbard, officer commanding the :S'o. 11 Squadron of the Koval Flying Corps in Franco, in a letter'to Jlr. Justice Cooper, says: "I have to confirm the sade news, that you will have heard, that your gallant'soil was Killed yesterday morning (September 20) about nine o'clock. His Nieuporfc Scout fell when about 200 feet up, and he died _ a quarter of an hour afterwards without recovering consciousness I am glad to say that "lie suffered no pain at all. He was buried with as full military honours as was nossible under active servicc conditions. About fifteen of his- brother officers SO n.c.o.'s. and men and a firing partv followed him to the graveyard, where the servico was conducted by Captain Ford, the Presbyterian Army Chaplain. As wood and labour are very scarce here coffins are riot generally' provided, but ni j n.c.o.'s and a mechanic, all skilled wood-workers, voluntarily gave up their night's rest and made one, in which he was buried. On a brass plate, screwed to tlio lid. the following inscription was punched, as we haa iio materials for engraving: 'Cantain H. A. Cooper, R.F.C.. S.R Killed on active servicc, 21/6/16. Honoured and respected by all.' I cannot adequately tell vou 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 hieWy skilled flyer and a most intprpid fighter, but lie'was the cleanest, straightest, truest mail I havo ever met. He has had verv many fights in the air—his last on the JSfcll, when he pursued eleven hosile aeronlanes, and attacked them single-handed. He has left a gap in the Squadron that cannot dp litifc ivc "shall always remember him_ with pride and affection. With very sincere sympathy with vou, believe me, yours sincerelv, T. O'B Hubbard. Major." Major Hubbard also forwards the following message received by himself from the Anti-Aircraft Gunners: "All Hie Archies in the Third Army want to send their deenest sympathy to vou and all No. 11 Squadron for the loss .vou have sustained in Captain Cooper's death know that you have lost one o._ your best men, and one whose alr h&ve all admired." The Tier. A. H. Ford, who officiated at the funeral of Captain Cooper, in a letter to Judge Cooper, says: "I trust it may be some comfort to you in your great loss to know how greatly lie'was esteemed and loved in the Corps, which was shown at his funeral bv the •£•/>■ ing offices and respect naid to him 'by both officers and men. He is buried in Aubigney Cemetpry, two miles east of Kcr »s, nine miles north-west of Arras, Lieut.. A. King writes: "I was vonr son s observer during a long period out ■i't "i France, and Ithere was no nilot with whom I felt more confident. Fie was liked everywhere lie went arid was a great friend of mine and of c l Sp n Sqnn(W V, henever a difficult task was allotted to bim lie always saw it through re"■aidless of ,ho danger. I w as verv fond of him indeed, and M his loss more than I can sav, Herbert was one of the noblest fellow:, I have ever! Dad tlie honour to know intimately." |