Neville Elliott-Cooper
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Neville Bowes Elliott-Cooper (VC, DSO, MC) (22 January 1889 - 11 February 1918) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
He was 28 years old, and a Temporary Lieutenant Colonel in the 8th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, British Army, Commander during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 30 November 1917 east of La Vacquerie, near Cambrai, France when the enemy had broken through our outpost line, Lieutenant Colonel Elliott-Cooper seeing them advancing across the open, mounted the parapet calling upon the reserve company and details from battalion headquarters to follow. Absolutely unarmed, he made straight for the advancing enemy and under his direction his men forced them back 600 yards. While still yards in front he was severely wounded and realising that his force was greatly outnumbered, he signalled to them to withdraw, knowing that he must be taken prisoner. He died of his wounds on 11 February 1918 in Hannover, Germany.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Fusiliers Museum, Tower of London, England.
[edit] References
- "Elegant Extracts" - The Royal Fusiliers Recipients of the VC (J.P. Kelleher, 2001)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
