OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 5 August 1929, Page 2

OBITUARY

CAPTAIN R. D. COOPER

The late Captain Cooper, who passed aw;:) last week in Motueka at ttio ago u!' tifly, was born ui the. vicinity ol i.eltast, Ireland. Oji leaving school ho uoeame apprenticed to the "Lord" Lino Snipping Company of IkJfa«t, serving llio main portion of his apprenticeship in tin- sliip Dttiidonald, until she was disposed ui bv her Irish owners to' a French linn liy whom she was subsequently lost, 'being wrecked on the Auckland Islands in the year 1911. Viler liiiishmg his time with the "Lord line, he joined the Elder-Dempster service, ami for some time served in this company's ships as third officer on the Gold aiid West African coasts. Towards the end of 1902 he joined the British India SI cam Navigation Company and was then an oflieer on the Calcutta and .Japan service until the Russo-.lap war temporarily terminated the company's activities in. that particular region. At the outbreak of the Great Avar li c was iirst olhccr on the company's big liaiisport Torilla, running troops from Indian pints to the Mediterranean and Mcsopotamian ports. For services rentlored he was twice mentioned in despatches to the British Indian Government, and was also decorated by the French Government for transport work. Owing to ill-health, mainly contracted by strenuous war service, he had to relinquish his career in tropical waters, and came to New Zealand about six years ago. Since Uien he has practically made Motueka his home.

Recently, on behalL-of Chinese buyers, ho took ono of the Union Company's discarded steamers to HongKong, and this last trip was accountable for the final undermining of a much overtaxed constitution. He returned to Motueka about six, weeks ago, and was practically confined to bed until he quietly passed away Friday morning, lie was a member of the local branch of the R.S.A. and a supporter of the Caledonian Society. Last year he was commodore of the Royal Port Nicholson I'acht Club. He is survived by two brothers, residing in New Zealand—F. 11. and G.'B. Cooper, Lower Moutere, and was the youngest son of the late .Mr J, B. Cooper, Belfast. The many friends he has made, both in New Zealand and abroad, will read with regret of his demise. •

The funeral, which took place at the Motueka cemetery yesterday, was largely attended. Among the mourners were members of the Returned Soldiers' Association, some of whom acted as wreath-bearers. The many beautiful floral tributes, including several from Wellington, testified to the high esteem and regard in which the late Captain Cooper'was held. An impressive service at the graveside was read .by the Rev. (.!. A. Grossman. Bearers were Messrs I). W., A. G.. M., and R. Talbot, A. Limmer and E. Furuiell.