JAMES
COOPER is named in the Fairlie Roll of Honour of enlisted
men printed in the Largs & Millport Weekly News on 21 Nov 1914 and in the
Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald Roll of Honour in Dec 1914 – he is recorded as
James Cooper, Cameron Highlanders, wounded, in Aberdeen hospital.
He
isn’t in Fairlie in the 1911 Census or the 1912-1915 and 1920 Valuation Rolls,
and there are too many possibles to be able to trace him in the statutory
records. However, the Largs &
Millport Weekly News reported that he’d been wounded on 18 Sep 1914, which
would make him eligible for the 1914 star, and there is only one record of a
James Cooper of the Cameron Highlanders receiving that medal.
SERVICE DETAILS Enlisted 16 Oct 1905 and entered theatre
of war on 14 Aug 1914, France & Flanders.
The Largs and Millport Weekly News reported that he’d been struck by
three bullets and a piece of shrapnel at the Aisne on 18 September. He was discharged physically unfit on 21 Dec
1915 (Silver War Badge, wounds). His
medal index card shows he received the 1914 Star with clasp & roses, and
the British War and Victory medals
Extracts from the Largs & Millport Weekly News:-
19 December 1914 Private James Cooper, who was wounded at the Aisne on
18 September, paid a short visit to the village last week. In spite of the fact that Private Cooper was
struck by three bullets and a piece of shrapnel, he is making good progress
towards complete recovery, and hopes to rejoin his regiment tomorrow,
Saturday. While in the village he was
the recipient of numerous gifts, and was especially proud of the work party’s
Christmas parcel which he was presented with before his departure.
