Leslie Cooper (1897 - 1917)

Born 19 Feb 1897 in Molong, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Died 12 Oct 1917 at age 20 in Ypres (Ieper), Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium

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Biography

Leslie Cooper is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Lance Corporal Leslie Cooper was killed in action during World War I.

Military Service Enlisted age 20 at Liverpool New South Wales ^[2]

Name Leslie Cooper

Birth Place Obley, New South Wales

Enlistment Place Liverpool, New South Wales

Next of Kin Elizabeth COOPER

The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate (NSW : 1894 - 1954) Fri 21 Apr 1916 Page 5 ^[3]

A social at Obley hall and on this occasion the guests being Harry and Leslie Cooper. Dancing was continued until midnight. All wishing the lads success and hoping they return safe.

Wellington Independent 1916.

Private H F Cooper and Leslie Cooper of Obley who are with Carmichael's at Newcastle were home on leave last. Week and were entertained by a large number of friends who presented each man with a wrist watch.

Wellington Times (NSW : 1899 - 1954) Mon 10 Dec 1917 Page 2 ^[4]

Mrs. E. Cooper, of Obley, has been officially informed that her son, Lance-Corporal Leslie Cooper, and brother of Mrs. G. W. Baker, of Suntop, is missing since. October 12, 1917.

Molong Express and Western District Advertiser (NSW : 1887 - 1954) Sat 11 May 1918 Page 10 ^[5]

Lance-Corporal Leslie Cooper, of Obley, is reported as killed at the front. He was well-known and highly respected in the Obley district.

Death - age 20 at Menin Road Ridge — Passchendaele, Ypres Lance Corporal 36th Australian Infantry Battalion Death.12.10.1917. Belgium Age 20.

There were four men belonging to the same gun team in my coy. During the hop over at Passchendal they dropped into a shell hole for shelter, whilst they were there a shell dropped right into the hole and they were never seen again, one of the coy went over to see if he could see any of them, but they could not be found, so I presume they were all blown up by the shell. They were in my platoon, they all went to France with the original battalion. They came from NSW. Allen's people resided in Gunnedah NSW.

Informant - Sgt Hammond E P 789. C. Coy

Cooper with four other men in the Australian AIF. 36 th about 9.30 am was sheltering in a German shell hole when a German shell fell right into the midst of them killing the lot. This was on Passchendal Ridge. I was near them as a signaller. Our runner came to us and reported what had happened. They were buried in the shell hole that they died in. I did not bury them, but they were all mates of mine.

Eye Witness Description.

Informant Pte. Has Isaac Woods. AIF. 36 th Battalion C. C.

Memorial - Menin Gate Memorial Ypres, Flanders. Panel 7. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Index (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 01 Apr 2022), Index entry for COOPER LESLIE; Parents: GEORGE & ELIZABETH; District: MOLONG; Registration Number: 14/01/1897; DOB: 1897;
2. ↑ National Archives of Australia; Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920 Australia, WWI Service Records, 1914-1920
3. ↑ OBLEY. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/77606493
4. ↑ PERSONAL PARS. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/137410561
5. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/100898150
6. ↑ *Grave Plaque Photo - Find A Grave: Memorial #11987046 - Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/11987046/leslie-cooper : accessed 02 April 2022), memorial page for Lance Corporal Leslie Cooper (unknown–12 Oct 1917), Find a Grave Memorial ID 11987046, citing Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres (Ieper), Arrondissement Ieper, West Flanders (West-Vlaanderen), Belgium ; Maintained by IWPP Custodial Account (contributor 48586138) .

• A.W.M.145 Roll Of Honour
• Australia Red Cross - Wounded & Missing
• Leslie Cooper as part of the Pick a Soldier, Plant a Tree Project