L/Cpl. William Hall Cooper, 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his bravery at Suvla on 7th August 1915. The decoration was presented to him at his old workplace on 9th February 1916.
“A LEEDS MAN’S GALLANTRY IN GALLIPOLI.
“Among the Leeds soldiers who have recently been awarded the D.C.M. Lance-Corporal W. H. Cooper, of the 9th West Yorkshire Regiment, and son of Mrs. Cooper, of 19, Beechwood View, Leeds. Cooper a single man, 26 years age, took part in the landing at Suvla Bay, was wounded in August last, and is now stationed temporarily at Whitey Bay. To-day [9th February 1916] he was amongst his former colleagues in the shipping office of the London and North-Western Railway Company at Leeds, and was made the subject of a presentation.
“The act of gallantry for which was awarded the D.C.M. was the rescue under fire of a wounded officer who lay in the open 30 yards in advance of the trench in which the West Yorkshires were fighting.
“At the L. and N.W. Railway Company’s goods offices this morning, Lance-Corporal Cooper was presented with a wrist watch.” [1]
His official citation was published on 11th March 1916:
“For conspicuous gallantry near Suvla Bay on 7th August 1915, when he carried a wounded officer to a place of safety under heavy fire.” [2]
[1] ‘Yorkshire Evening Post,’ 9th February 1916.
[2] ‘London Gazette,’ 11th March 1916.
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