| Regimental number | 2484 |
| Place of birth | Carlton, Victoria |
| True Name | COOPER, Mattheus John |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Occupation | Labourer |
| Marital status | Married |
| Age at embarkation | 28.4 |
| Height | 5' 7" |
| Weight | 140 lbs |
| Next of kin | Wife, Mrs Adam Cooper, 200 Newcastle Street, Perth, Western Australia |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Kalgoorlie, Western Australia |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 11th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/28/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A63 Karoola on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Driver |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 51st Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Dsitinguished Conduct Medal Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of death or wounding | Villers-Bretonneux, France |
| Age at death | 33 |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 33 |
| Place of burial | Adelaide Cemetery (Plot III, Row G, Grave No. 6), Villers-Bretonneux, France |
| Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 152 |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: John and Elizabeth COOPER; husband of Ada COOPER, Coode Street, South Perth, Western Australia. Native of Carlton, Victoria |
| Medals |
Distinguished Conduct Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He took command of his platoon during an attack when all the N.C.O.'s had become casualties, and led them successfully to the objective. He remained in charge during the consolidation, inspiring his men by his fearless conduct under heavy shell and machine gun fire. His initiative and example was of conspicuous merit.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 95 Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 31 July 1915. Taken on strength, 11th Bn, Gallipoli, 4 August 1915.Ãdmitted to 3rd Field Ambulance, 29 September 1915, and transferred same day to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station (influenza); to HS 'Glanmore Castle', 29 September 1915, and transferred to No 1 Auxiliary Hospital, Heliopolis, 4 October 1915; to A&NZ Hospital, Helouan, 12 October 1915; discharged to duty, 17 October 1915; rejoined unit, Sarpi Camp, Lemnos, 19 November 1915. Disembarked Alexandria from Lemnos, 7 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Transferred to 51st Bn, Tel el Kebir, 29 February 1916. Found guilty, 2 April 1916, of being absent without leave from 4.30 pm, 30 March, to 7.40 pm, 1 April 1916: awarded 7 days'confined to camp, and forfeited 3 days'pay under Royal Warrant. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Exoeditionary Force, 5 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 12 June 1916. Appointed Driver, 20 March 1917. Appointed Lance Corporal, 1 October 1917. Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal, 22 October 1917. On leave to England, 25 December 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 11 January 1918. Killed in action, 25 April 1918. Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, COOPER John |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
