Tributes paid to oldest Territoral Army soldier in Abergele

Jun 4 2009 by David Simister, North Wales Weekly News

TRIBUTES have been paid to the Territorial Army’s oldest member who died at his home near Abergele last weekend.

Edwin Cooper, who lived at the Dol Awel residential home in Belgrano, passed away at 1am last Friday, one month after celebrating his 105th birthday.

“Edwin will be really missed and as one of his last wishes he asked for no flowers but instead donations to Dol Awel, the home where he said he lived with his extended family,” said Selena Allonby, Mr Cooper’s stepdaughter.

“He wanted to say thank you to all the staff and owners of the home and this was his way of doing so. The care they provided has been fantastic and I know they will miss him very much, a gentleman to the very end.”

Mr Cooper joined the TA’s Field Army Ambulance Unit aged 20 in 1924 and saw service in World War Two. He also saw service in the Field Army Ambulance Unit in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment.

He was treated to a birthday party by members of the TA’s 203 Field Hospital Squadron at Dol Awel last month (pictured).

He received letters of congratulation from the Queen and Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and achieved a personal ambition when he met Ken Dodd, his favourite comic.

Mr Cooper was a keen Manchester United supporter and dreamed of climbing Snowdon, a challenge he was expecting to undertake later this year. He was also looking forward to meeting the Queen, having already met other members of the Royal family, including Prince Charles, at a celebration of the TA’s 100th anniversary.

The British Legion is planning a celebration of his life at his funeral next Monday at 2pm.