Robert Cooper

Killed in Action on the 23/10/1916 at the Battle of Le Transloy (the attempt to capture Zenith and Orion Trenches)

The Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 05/11/1914 and were part of the 23rd Brigade, 8th Division. Robert arrived in France on the 16/03/1915. The Battalion took part in two of the major British battles of 1915 : the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March, in which their Commanding Officer was killed, and The Battle of Aubers Ridge in May. On the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916, the 2nd Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) were part of the 8th Division attack on the village of Ovilliers. As The Battle of the Somme ground on, the 2nd Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) found themselves in the front line once again in front of the village of Le Transloy in October 1916. As the battle was being forced to a close by rain and mud, the British commander, Sir Douglas Haig, was determined to capture the high ground around the village before winter set in. The 2nd Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) were given the task of capturing Zenith Trench and Orion Trench on the 23rd of October. Successfully capturing their first objective, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) pushed on to take the second. However the failure of the attacks on their flanks, meant that they were forced back in the face of German counter attacks. It was in this fighting on the 23rd October that Robert was killed. SEE PHOTOS x 8 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY OCTOBER 1916. The War Diary states the total casualties for the 23/10/1916 were - "Officers Killed 6, Wounded 4, Missing 2. Other Ranks Killed 47, Wounded 167, Missing 14. Total Casualties - 240". SEE PHOTOS x 12 FOR THE 8th DIVISION BOOK OCTOBER 1916. Robert was promoted to Sergeant at Fort Matilda at the beginning of the war. Robert is listed as 4th BATTALION on the Coatbridge Memorial. See photos for Robert's Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Thiepval Memorial Panel List, his name on the Thiepval Memorial x 2 and Robert's Attestation Papers x 3 (enlisted 29/10/1898, discharged 09/11/1898). Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 5 (Coatbridge Express x 2, Coatbridge Leader x 2 and the Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1), the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge and the 8th Division Order of Battle x 12 (the Division Robert was with when he died).