Ronald Richard Nelson Cooper
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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He was the second son of Samuel Henry (known as Henry) and Effie Graham Cooper. Samuel was born in Nottingham and Effie Graham in Ripley, Derbyshire, in 1871 (A/M/J Belper). They were married in 1891 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had five children of whom only three were still living by the time of the 1901 census: Effie Matilda (born about 1893, New York USA), Bruce Henry (b. 1894, A/M/J Nottingham) and Ronald Richard Nelson (18 June 1900). In 1901 Samuel (34), a lace machine fitter, Effie (30) and their three children, Effie (8), Bruce (7) and Ronald (9 months) were living at 14 Highfield Road, Nottingham. Also in the household was Samuel's widowed father, Richard Cooper (65), a carter. By 1911 the family had moved to 26 Highfield Road, Lenton, and Samuel, Effie and their three children were at home on the night of the census together with Samuel's father, Richard Cooper. Also in the household were Bertram George Dickinson (11, bap. 10 July 1899) and Leslie William Dickinson (10, b. 7 September 1900) who although described as 'grandsons' (of head of household) were probably the grandsons of Samuel's father, Richard Cooper. Bertram and Leslie were the sons of Arthur William and Susannah Jane Dickinson and in 1901 the family was living at 5 Massey Street, St Ann's. Susannah had died in 1905 at the age of 36 and it is possible that Arthur had moved to New York. Ronald's sister, Effie Matilda, married Sydney A Riley in 1915 (A/M/J Nottingham). His father died on 3 January 1945 aged 78 and his mother on 8 October 1961 aged 90.
Ronald joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Seaman on 2 November 1917 when he was 17 years old. His last day of service was 31 March 1918 and he was discharged to the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918. He was based at the RAF's Great Yarmouth Air Station and died after an aerial combat on 31 July 1918. A member of a crew of a Felixstowe F2A flying boat, the flying boat was shot down and forced to land in the sea. Catching fire, Ronald was one of two members of the crew of five who drowned before they could be rescued. His body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, Hampshire
In memoriam published 31st July 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “COOPER. – In ever loving remembrance of our dear son and brother, Ronald Richard Nelson Cooper, who was killed in enemy action July 31st, 1918, aged 18. In life respected, and death lamented. – Sorrowing father, mother, brother, and sister.” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Register of Soldiers' Effects: His father was his legatee. Probate: Cooper Samuel Henry of 44 Clarendon-street Nottingham died 3 January 1945 at The City Hospital Nottingham Administration Nottingham 12 June to Effie Graham Cooper widow. Effects £139 11s. 9d. Probate: Cooper Effie Graham of 55 Highfield Road Dunkirk Nottingham widow died 8 October 1961 at Mapperley Hospital Nottingham Probate Nottingham 27 November to Herbert Edward Walters estate agent and Michael George Bramley solicitor. Effects £15625 9s.
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