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from South Manchester Express,
Thursday March 4, 1999
Grave of war hero marked at last
THE grave of a First World War hero was
finally given a headstone by relatives who were too poor to afford one when he was buried
more than 60 years ago.
Military Medal winner John Cooper's headstone
- bearing the simple epitaph, "A Soldier of the Great War" - was unveiled by
daughter Joyce Nutton as a lone piper played the lament at a moving ceremony conducted by
Ladybarn Royal British Legion, last Wednesday.
The Southern Cemetery grave had been unmarked
since his death in 1933 from injuries suffered during a gas attack in the war. And his
family only confirmed he was buried at the Barlow Moor Road graveyard two years ago.
Mrs Nutton, 74, said: "When he died my
mother was left a widow and she just didn't have the money, so I'm glad it's getting done
now."
Mrs Nutton's son-in-law Kenneth Robertshaw
organised the proceedings, having carefully researched the soldier's life and military
career. Born in Boughton, Cheshire, Mr Cooper entered the war in 1915 when he was 15 years
old. He won the Military Medal for his gallant actions as Lance-Corporal Brigade Signaller
in the Royal Field Artillery. On November 30, 1917 at Epehy, he kept up signalling
communication between infantry and artillery under heavy enemy fire.
Later, he transferred to the Royal Engineers
where he received the injuries that would eventually cut short his life. He was just 36
when he died.
Mr Robertshaw, 42, a police inspector from
Halifax, attended the service with wife Pauline, 40, son Kenneth, 20, and daughter
Rebecca, 16.
He said: "It is quite emotional for all
of us, especially Pauline - his granddaughter. But it's pleasing to think that now there
will always be a reminder of a great man."
Ladybarn Legion has pledged to decorate the
grave with a poppy cross every November.
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