Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1916 ‘Easter Rising’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant Bandmaster R. M. Cooper, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, who commanded “B” Company, 2nd/8th Battalion, as they held the line of the Canal from the Bridge to Grand Canal Street, South Dublin, under a hot enemy fire, during which action he was wounded

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2543. Sjt: Dmr: R. M. Cooper. 2/8 N. & D.R. -T.F.); British War and Victory Medals (305626 Cpl. R. M. Cooper D.C.M. Notts. & Derby R.) the campaign medals later issues, with named card box of issue; together with an official ‘Duplicate’ Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2543 Sgt. R. M. Cooper Notts & Derby R. Duplicate) with named card box of issue, the original DCM with edge bruising and suspension possibly re-affixed, therefore good fine; the rest toned, good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800

Provenance: Glendining’s, July 1978.

D.C.M. London Gazette 24 January 1917, citation published 3 March 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On several occasions he collected small bodies of men without a leader and took them forward. Later, he led an attack with great gallantry. He was wounded.’

Richard Mitchell Cooper was born in 1891, and attested for the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment on 9 September 1914, being posted to the 7th Reserve Battalion. He transferred to the 2nd/8th Battalion on 15 November 1914, and served with them as Sergeant Bandmaster in Ireland during the Easter Rising in April 1916:
‘As signalling had been reported in Mount Street, Lieutenant Hewitt with a small party was ordered to occupy an advance post some 250 yards farther down Mount Street. Whilst acting under orders from the Irish Command to halt and consolidate on the line of the canal, the battalion set to work to render their position secure for the night. ”B” Company, commanded by Bandmaster Cooper, after all its officers had been wounded, held the line of the canal from the bridge to Grand Canal Street, from which a hot enemy fire was coming, and strengthened the position by building a barricade composed of pieces of turf taken from a neighbouring stack. A mixed picquet from “A” and “C” Companies occupied the buildings in Percy Place, whilst the remainder of the battalion held the school buildings, and Battalion Headquarters were situated at 23 Northumberland Road, a building used by the brigade for the same purpose when they moved forward from Ballsbridge.’ (account by Lieutenant-Colonel W. C. Oates, 2nd/8th Battalion, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment refers).

For his services in Dublin during the Easter Rising Cooper was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and was presented with his medal by H.M. King George V on 13 February 1917. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 14 December 1918, and was awarded the Silver War Badge. He was finally discharged on 31 March 1920.

Sold with a photograph of the recipient receiving his D.C.M. from H.M. King George V; copied Medal Index Card which states that the British War and Victory Medals were issued to the recipient’s nephew in 1973; various M.O.D. and Army Medal Office correspondence regarding the issuance of the duplicate D.C.M., dated 1974; and other copied research.