Engineer Commander Sydney F Cooper Born October 1878 and died 16 January, 1961 Playd for Blackheath, Devon, Royal Navy and Barbarians. Won seven caps for England as a wing. Won only once in those matches. Served throughout WW1 as regular RN engineer officer on destroyers. Was sunk once and mentioned in despatches. Retired from RN in October 1924. Becme Secretary of the Rugby Football Union in October 1924 and retired from that post in 1947. Was known as the founder "of the modern Twickenham".
So Robco ... are you just giving us these rugby men for information only - or are you looking for something else ? Seems that you know all about them already ..... I think I made the mistake of thinking you wanted more ! I'd be glad to try and find more ..... just let us know what it is you really want ! Annie
He was mentioned on the Arthur Cornish thread !! Crawshays Welsh RFC is an invitational rugby union team. In 1922 Captain Geoffrey Crawshay was invited by the Engineer Commander of Devonport Services, SF Cooper, to bring a team of Welsh rugby union players to play Devonport Services RFC. From this beginning, the start of one of the most famous amateur teams in the United Kingdom, was born http://ww1talk.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=1885 Annie
Coopper, Sidney Frank played for England Internationals: 7 : 1900 W- ; 1902 W- I+ (1t) ; 1905 W- I- (1t) S- ; 1907 W- Sidney Coopper was born in October 1878 Played as a Wing for: Royal Naval Engineering College Keyham, Blackheath, Barbarians, Devon Profession: Royal Navy; retired 1924. War service: Served as an Engineering Officer on destroyers and was once sunk. Mentioned in despatches. Remarks: Secretary of the Rugby Football Union 1924-1927. Described by John Daniel as ‘The father of modern Twickenham”. He died on 16 January 1961
I'm looking to try to build up a picture of their war service and to find any pictures or other references to their lives. The sporting aspect I've got reasonably well covered.
I'm the great grandson of Sydney Coopper and we know a bit about his sporting past but very little about his military service. I was hoping someone could give me some more information or point me in the right direction at least. Dolphin, you mentioned he was sunk and mentioned in despatches, do you have any more info on these events, where didi you find this out?
