Live ChatA local war hero from Marnhull in Dorset, Dennis ‘Roy’ Cooper died last week at the age 102.
27 October 2020
SSAFA Dorset would like to pay respect to Roy and thank him for his service to his country.
Roy was enlisted into the Royal Navy on the 29th October 1940 from his hometown of Portsmouth, where he served for three years on HMS King George V and then on minesweepers.
One of his many roles in 1944 was escorting the two mulberry harbours to Normandy where they were positioned on Sword and Omaha beaches.
From 5th June 1944, Roy was engaged in minesweeping from Sword Beach to Cherbourg off the Cotentin peninsular.
In addition to Operation Overlord, Roy was engaged in the Mediterranean during the invasion of Italy bringing down naval gunfire on the beachheads and in Africa where he was escorting US troops.
This year alone, Roy celebrated being awarded the Legion D’Honneur for his services on D-Day. Nick Bate, a caseworker from SSAFA Dorset, organised an official ceremony at Blandford Camp to mark Roy’s achievement.
See link here
Roy has been awarded the following medals for his service:
- 1939-1945 Star
- Africa Star
- Italy Star
- France and Germany Star with Atlantic Bar
- Defence Medal
- Victory Medal
- Legion D’Honneur
Admiral Lord West said: “Roy was typical of the amazing generation that enabled us to win the war and defeat Hitler. He was a brave man who did his duty serving with distinction. It was a privilege and a pleasure to have met him.”
When SSAFA spoke to Roy in February this year, he said:
“We are all here today because of the sacrifices made in those dark days. I lost many friends who I will never forget. It is important that these events are never forgotten.”
Let us not forget Dennis Roy Cooper and his service to his country.