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Name: COOPER, Neville Maynard Charles MBE, MC, GM (Major)

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Nee: son of Archibald Maynard Cooper, bro of Michael Hadley Frederick Cooper

Birth Date: 18 June 1918 Nairobi

Death Date: 26 Mar 2000 Pretoria, South Africa

First Date: 1937

Profession: Farmer at Hadley Farm, Elburgon

Area: Turi, Elburgon

Married: In Nakuru 9 Dec 1948 Edna

Book Reference: Sitrep 2, Sundown, The Cooper Family in Africa: Memoir of Neville Maynard Charles Cooper

War Service: KAR 1939-1941

School: Prince of Wales School scholar, horticulture at Reading Univ.

General Information:

Sitrep 2 - Citation of how he won his MC in Burma - 'Captain (temporary) Neville Maynard Charles Cooper (328593) - General List, Infantry - For exceptional boldness and initiative when in command on a patrol. - On the 16th November, 1944, Captain Cooper was in command of a platoon of "D" Company, 11(K) King's African Rifles, who were ordered to reconnaisance an alternative route from Nanzula to Hpaunzaik, near Kalemyo, Burma; the platoon soon came upon the trail of a party of Japanese, strength about 40, moving in the same direction. For several hours, Captain Cooper followed this party, without disclosing his presence. When the party eventually halted, he surrounded them and attacked, taking them completely by surprise. The officer and three Japanese soldiers were killed, many more wounded and the whole party routed in confusion. Several valuable maps and other booty were collected. The skill, determination and courage of Captain Cooper were entirely responsible for the success of this operation.'
Buffalo Barua 3 - Tribute by Hammy O'Hara - " …….. Nev was a slightly-built man with kind blue eyes, softly spoken with a mild gentle manner and a wicked sense of humour. He was a shy person and shunned publicity. He was a natural leader. It was said on many occasions by different people that 'you did it because Nev asked you to and because Nev was Nev'. He was highly respected by his colleagues and seniors. I have never met anyone who knew Neville Cooper who did not like him and respect him.
Sundown - 1954 - in charge of I Company
One of the original '500' men in the Kenya Regt. in 1937. (KR 385).
A keen ornithologist
Grew cedar trees, started milling operation
1963 left Kenya for S Africa

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