The AIF Project

Vivian Stewart COOPER

ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSurveyor
Addressc/o Wm. Adams and Co. Ltd., Edward Street, Brisbane, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Next of kinFather, Peter Edward S Cooper, c/o Wm. Adams and Co Ltd., Edward Street, Brisbane, Queensland
Enlistment date23 March 1915
Rank on enlistment2nd Lieutenant
Unit name26th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/43/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 17 August 1915
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal Roll26th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Service Order


'Resource and initiative. Also conspicuous personal gallantry, rendering valuable services. (Pozieres).'
Recommendation date: 11 August 1916

Military Cross


'Work near Mont St.Quentin on 2 September 1918.'
Recommendation date: 11 September 1918

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917).

FateReturned to Australia 4 July 1919
Medals

Distinguished Service Order

'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He repulsed a strong enemy counter attack, and, when his battalion was relieved, remained in the position. When the enemy attacked he opened fire on them from a point which he had selected, killing large numbers. Ninety one prisoners were taken by his battalion, twenty surrendering to Lieutenant Cooper.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 184
Date: 14 December 1916

Military Cross

'During the attack east of Mont St. Quentin, on 2nd September 1918, the ground over which this Officer's company advanced was defended by a large number of machine guns. on two occasions, with a small complement of men, he rushed the machine guns post and killed the crews. He enveloped many other positins, and reduced them. His splendid example so inspired his men that their advance continued against tremendous odds, and on his sector alone 30 enemy machine guns were counted and a large number of dead.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 67
Date: 3 June 1919

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Distinguished Service Order, Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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