Regiment: R.A.F..
Died: 23 October 1941 aged 19 in Germany. Missing, believed killed.
Battle: Bomber Command. Cemetery: Kiel War Cemetery 1. F. 11.
Son of Dr. Walter Tyrrell Cooper, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., L.D.S., and Dulcie Elizabeth Cooper, of 44 Cholmeley Park, Highgate, Middlesex.
Army V.
50 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
The squadron flew the Hampden medium bomber where it attempted to attack German warships off Kristiansand returning from the German invasion of Norway on the 12th April 1940, but with heavy losses daylight raids were abandoned, and it continued operations by night, taking part in the RAF's strategic bombing offensive against the Germans through the remainder of 1940 and 1941.
On the night of the 23rd October 1941, the squadron was on a bombing run to Kiel. One aircraft out of the 16 failed to return.
The operation overall was successful with 13 aircraft being able to locate and bomb the target. A total of 6 x 1,000 lb; 40 x 500 lb; 16 x 250 lb bombs and 1,924 lbs of incendiaries was expended.
Squadron diary: AIR-27_486_18