Portrait of 2484 Private John Cooper, 11th Battalion (later 51st Battalion), of Perth, WA. Below ...

Accession Number P07082.001
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white - Photomechanical print
Maker Unknown
Place made Australia: Western Australia
Date made 1915
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Portrait of 2484 Private John Cooper, 11th Battalion (later 51st Battalion), of Perth, WA. Below the photograph is a printed biography of Pte Cooper's service in the AIF. It reads 'In Loving Memory of Lance-Corporal J Cooper, DCM. No. 2484, of the 51st Battalion. Enlisted as a driver at Kalgoorlie on the 25th of May, 1915. He went into Blackboy but only stayed in camp a short period, sailing on 25th June, 1915 [actually 2 September 1915], for Egypt. He fought at Gallipoli, and went from there to France, where he took part in all the battles the Australians were in. This hero was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Zonnebeke Ridge, on the 19th November, 1917. He took command of his platoon during an attack when all the NCOs had become casualties, and led them successfully to the objective. He remained in charge until the consolidation, inspiring the men by his fearless conduct under heavy shell and machine gun fire. His initiative and example were of conspicuous merit. He was killed on the 25th April, 1918, at Villers-Bretonneux, leaving behind a wife and four children.'