South Yorkshire Times, August 5th 1944

Service Changes

A native of West Melton, Fred Cooper, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Cooper of 17, Winterwell Road, writes of the service changes he has experienced since he joined up in 1926.

First he was with the Royal Field Artillery and served for seven years in India.  In January 1940, he transferred to the R.A.F. and served with Bomber Command until June 21st last.  He was then transferred to the 201st Brigade of Guards, being the only one from his station picked for this brigade, on which his C.O. congratulated him.

His youngest brother, Jack, is serving in Italy.  He is 22, and went through the North African campaign.

Guardsman Cooper ends with a message to the miners (he is an ex-miner himself) in which he says; “Don’t strike, help your sons and brothers, give us coal. This is a request from all the lads in the Forces.”  Guardsman Cooper’s wife and three daughters are at present living at Grimsby’