- SURNAME
Cooper
- FORENAME
Charles
- UNIT
40 Commando
- RANK
Marine (Temporary Corporal) (MiD), Temporary Sergeant (MM)
- NUMBER
PLY/X 104215
- AWARD
Mention in Despatches, Military Medal
- PLACE
Italy 1944 (MiD+MM)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
London Gazette 36676, 25th August 1944, Page 4010 (MiD)
CITATION:
Military Medal : (Operation"IMPACT" 11/12 Apr 45)
The above named N.C.O. was told to cover the movement of the Troop from the left to the right-hand side of the bank with a Bren Gun. He moved up the bank and on reaching the top was hit in the body; despite this he continued over the bank and although wounded and under heavy fire, engaged the enemy sniper at a few yards range with his Tommy Gun. He knelt in the open firing one magazine; he then placed another magazine on the gun firing that also and proceeded to reload with a further magazine. He opened fire again killing the enemy sniper, but was hit in the hands, losing two fingers from each hand, Despite this he still attempted to fire his Tommy Gun, but was pulled back into the slit trench under cover after the bank had been crossed.
By his magnificent courage and determination he enabled the Troop to move from one position to the other without casualties, inspiring the men to move confidently under fire.
The above named N.C.O. was told to cover the movement of the Troop from the left to the right-hand side of the bank with a Bren Gun. He moved up the bank and on reaching the top was hit in the body; despite this he continued over the bank and although wounded and under heavy fire, engaged the enemy sniper at a few yards range with his Tommy Gun. He knelt in the open firing one magazine; he then placed another magazine on the gun firing that also and proceeded to reload with a further magazine. He opened fire again killing the enemy sniper, but was hit in the hands, losing two fingers from each hand, Despite this he still attempted to fire his Tommy Gun, but was pulled back into the slit trench under cover after the bank had been crossed.
By his magnificent courage and determination he enabled the Troop to move from one position to the other without casualties, inspiring the men to move confidently under fire.
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36676/supplement/4010 (MiD)https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369911
NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369911
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