F/O. Ronald Jack Cooper DFC.
Royal Air Force 38 Squadron
from:Eurongilly, NSW, Australia
(d.26th Nov 1941)
Ronald Cooper, as a 20-year-old, joined the RAF and, according to a memorial plaque, was shot down over Derna in North Africa on 26 November 1941, aged 22.
London Gazette, 14th of May 1940: The undermentioned are granted short service commissions as Acting Pilot Officers on probation for four years on the active list on the dates stated: 10th Apr. 1940. Ronald Jack Cooper (43281).
The London Gazette, 15 Oct 1940 p6020: The undermentioned Acting Pilot Officers on probation are graded as Pilot Officers on probation: 7th Sept. 1940. Ronald Jack Cooper (43281).
Supplement to London Gazette, 16 Mar 1943 p1246: Under heading "Distinguished Flying Cross": Flying Officer Ronald Jack Cooper (43281), No. 38 Squadron (deceased), awarded with effect from 28th October, 1941.
This is from an undated family history written by Coopers brother (kept at Junee Historical Museum, Junee NSW: "Jack, being the fourth son, realised the farm couldn't handle us all and continued at school till passing through High School and on to University from where he applied for a short term commission in the Royal Air Force. Which he was granted. This was to cover a seven year tour of duty subject to peace being maintained. Unfortunately, three weeks after sailing from Sydney on 12/8/39 war was declared. He served as a Wellington bomber pilot over Europe and later in the Middle East until a fatal mission over Derna on the night of 26/11/1941 from which he was reported missing, never to be found."
