THE ROLL OF HONOUR
Private F. F. COOPER. Another gallant Southlander "Gone West” is Private Frank Frederick Cooper, son of Mr and Mrs C. Cooper, of "Townend,” East Gore, who fell in action on March 24. The late soldier, who was 25 years old, was a native of Waipahi and a schoolboy of East Gore, which school knew him as an enthusiastic footballer. He was farming in partnership with his brother when he joined up with the Fifteenth. -Southland Times, 12/5/1917.
Frank Cooper's Army record is a short one, ending with the words "Killed in action." For the day of his death, the Otago Regiment's Official History has this to say: "At 4 o'clock on the morning of March 24th the enemy opened a terrific bombardment over the left of the sector occupied by the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment, the full force of his fire being directed over the locality extending from Spring Walk to the Wulverghem-Wytschaete Road and beyond, across Slush Gap and into the neighbouring Division's sector. The bombardment opened with heavy minenwerfer fire, followed by high explosive shell and shrapnel. The S.O.S. call was immediately sent to the 1st Field Battery by the officer on trench duty. Shortly afterwards the wire to the 15th Howitzer Battery and the direct wire to the Artillery Brigade were cut by the heavy shelling. Our artillery retaliation, however, was prompt in reply to the first call, and being on the correct sector gave immediate support to our infantry. About five minutes after the opening of the bombardment numbers of Germans moving in two lines in single file and estimated in strength at about 80, were observed advancing across No Man's Land. Our Lewis guns at once opened fire on them, and it appeared as if the attack might be beaten off. The enemy, however, succeeded in entering our front line between Durham Road and Northumberland Avenue, and penetrated to a depth of about 100 yards. They were finally driven out by our Lewis gunners and bombers, who displayed great gallantry under a most intense bombardment. Between 5 and 5.10 a.m. the bombardment slackened off and a few minutes later ceased. Our casualties were 12 killed, 21 wounded, and one missing, believed buried. Three members of the Lewis gun crew of the left post were killed and one wounded, and the remaining man stuck to his post to the last."
IN MEMORIAM
COOPER. — In loving memory of Private Frank Frederick Cooper, 15th Reininforcment, dearly beloved son of Chas. and Mary Cooper, Gore, who was killed in action somewheer in France on .March 24, 1917, aged 25 years.
Duty called him; he was there, To do his bit and take his share,
His heart was good, his spirit brave, His resting-place a soldier’s grave.
Inserted by his loving father and mother, sisters and brothers. -Mataura Ensign, 23/3/1918.
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