A Great War 1918 ‘German Spring Offensive’ M.M. awarded to Private R. Cooper, Royal Army Medical Corps, for his gallantry as a stretcher bearer at Holnon Wood and Beauvois, 21-22 March 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (437470 Pte. R. Cooper. 2/2 S.Mid: F.A. R.A.M.C.) polished, edge nicks, very fine £200-£240

M.M. London Gazette 8 August 1918.

The original Recommendation states: ‘On 21 and 22 March [1918] in Holnon Wood for gallant conduct as a stretcher bearer. He worked untiringly under heavy fire bringing in the wounded, behaving with the greatest steadfastness. After the bearer post was withdrawn on 22 March he established an aid post in Beauvois on his own initiative. Here he successfully attended many wounded men and evacuated two officers in a wheel barrow who were unable to walk, this enabling them to reach safety. By his actions he showed himself possessed of a very high degree of courage and initiative and offered a valuable example to other bearers of disregard of personal safety.

Richard Cooper was born in 1879 and attested for the Royal Army Medical Corps on 29 October 1915. He served with the 2/2nd South Midland Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 May 1916: this unit formed part of the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division which fought on the Somme on 19 July 1916 at the Battle of Fromelles, and later took part in the Third Battle of Ypres and advance to the Hindenburg Line. For his services on the opening days of the German Spring Offensive in March 1918 he was awarded the Military Medal. He was disembodied on 15 March 1919.

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