Daniel Cooper

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25.01.2010 : C M Walbran ex RAF wrote L/Cpl Daniel Cooper
You are a Hero
And you will be remembered as one of the best
My thoughts are with your family, Friends and Comrades.
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Daniel Cooper, or Coops as he was known to his friends, was the first A Company lad I met when I arrived. I could tell straight away that he was a top lad with a keen sense of humour; if there was any joking about you could guarantee that Coops would be at the centre of it.
It saddens me to imagine the thought of not seeing him again but the best thing we can do is keep our heads held high and be proud of the things he achieved. My prayers and thoughts are with his family and friends at this tragic time.
Rest in peace mate you'll always be remembered as a true hero – love you.
-- Rifleman Josh Atkinson
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Coops was not only a good soldier but also a good friend. He always made me laugh, he always got everyone's morale up when we were feeling down, the best squaddie I knew. You will never be forgotten Coops – 'For their tomorrow we gave our today'.
-- Rifleman Sam Ellis
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Coops was a great mate to all he met. He was always up for whatever was thrown at him and he strived to be the best at whatever he did, whatever the task. It is a shock to all of us now that he is gone, but I'm proud to say I knew him. My thoughts are with his family in this time of great sadness. Coops you will always be with us in our thoughts and you will never be forgotten mate.
-- Rifleman Ben Buckles
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Lance Corporal Cooper was one of the most vibrant men in the Platoon. I cannot remember a single moment during the 2 and a half years of knowing him where he was not smiling. He was the epicentre of platoon morale.
Unlike many men, he wore his heart on his sleeve. I remember when he had cleared with his metal detector past an improvised explosive device which a local Afghan later pointed out to him. Despite the fact that it was nowhere near the route he had cleared, I found him hours later worrying about having let his mates down.
In the end, Coops died clearing a safe path through what we knew to be a dangerous area. He had enough heart and courage to share around the whole platoon, even during the most desperate of times. The platoon has had its bad days but he was always there in the centre of things. I had the privilege of talking to him at length the night before he died; we discussed his future plans and his life in general. I am honoured that he shared with me his hopes, dreams and aspirations.
-- Lieutenant Palmer Winstanley
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Lance Corporal Daniel Cooper was a young, energetic and extremely entertaining man who would always have something positive to say. Even when the chips were down, Coops would always know what to say to get the others going again. He was a true source of morale for his friends, peers and myself.
The last conversation I had with him was joking about a local man, who probably under the influence of some intoxicant, found Coops to be fascinating, and sat down next to him, refusing to budge (despite Coops' protests!).
Although he was definitely a joker, he was an excellent soldier who took pride in what he did. Although young, others looked up to him and he often set the example for how the Riflemen should behave. The qualities he had are rare.
We miss him terribly and our thoughts go out to his friends and family he has left behind. I only hope they can take some comfort from knowing what an outstanding individual he was and what he meant to those of us privileged to have served with him.
-- Second Lieutenant Connor Maxwell
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote I first met Coops 4 years ago when A Company were deploying to Iraq ; Coops was in my team and I spent six months with him. I was then lucky enough to have Coops sent to join 2 Platoon at Patrol Base Almas.
He was such a hard working lad; funny, eternally happy and a top, top Rifleman. He was an exceptionally fit lad – all he wanted to do was be a Physical Training Instructor in the Army. He was never far from a football, showing off his skills and going on about his beloved Hereford . Coops was one of the best: he will be sorely missed.
-- Serjeant Dean Holgate
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Lance Corporal Cooper was one of the lads I would always give jobs to, which I am sure annoyed him at times. But I did this because I knew I could depend on him to do the job to the best of his ability and without complaint.
When the Boss and I wrote up our Platoon order of battle before coming to Afghanistan, I greedily snapped him up as my 51mm mortar man. But it soon became apparent that out here, our very best Riflemen were needed to carry out the demanding and dangerous job of being the lead men who would use a metal detector to find improvised explosive devices. So Coops was an automatic choice for the heavy responsibility of finding IEDs to protect the troops on the ground. He did this without a murmur of complaint, and got on with the job with the utmost professionalism which we have come to expect from him.
I've known Coops since he joined A Company on our Iraq tour of 2006 and then through a tour of Kosovo and now Afghanistan.
-- Serjeant 'Smudge' Smith
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote I have known Coops for a few years, since he arrived in Battalion. I will always remember him for his sense of humour and his enthusiasm, which never faltered.
In Afghanistan, Coops spent some time in my section and I knew I could rely on him to carry out his job; I completely trusted him. This was carried on when he moved to 2 Platoon, where his skills and courage were invaluable. He is sorely missed by all who knew him. God bless mate.
-- Corporal Frankie Mason
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote I remember the first time I saw Coops. He was about to go on parade with of A Company, laughing and messing about, which is what most lads do, but what really caught my eye was just how much noise he was capable of making, and how he had everyone in stitches. That was his gift: to keep everyone laughing, and morale high, even at the worst of times.
Coops, my abiding memory of you is when I fired a LASM (Light Anti-Structure Munition) rocket during a firefight, and you shouted through the noise, T! That was awesome but maybe next time you'll hit 'em! With you watching over me next time, I know I will do better; one day we will meet again and get the beers in.
We are all going to miss your random outbursts: Alriiiiiiiiight!, You what! You what! and especially You're good…. You're like, the best! I've never met a man like you and I know I never will again.
There is a gap in the Company and in our hearts that will never be filled. You will be in our hearts forever mate.
-- Corporal Charles Taylor
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Coops was an excellent soldier. He was always one to depend on when you wanted something done. He would often lead the pack when jobs, now matter how dirty or dangerous, needed to be done and always with the same eager spirit and enthusiasm. I was always happy when he was in my section and when he wasn't I would always try to persuade 'the rank' to let me have him on my team. Coops was pure morale.
He would always lift our spirits even in the hardest of times, and he just took everything in his stride. His loss is a massive blow to 1 Platoon – he was such a big character. We are all thinking of his family at this time and send them all our best wishes.
He has left a lasting impression on me and everyone who knew him. I'm glad and proud to say that I knew him. Coops lad, you will be sorely missed but never forgotten. R.I.P. mate.
-- Corporal Phil Cree
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Coops was the first person I got to know in 1 Platoon, I was attached for a patrol out of NOLAY, and Coops and I were at the rear. We clicked straight away, as he was forever making me laugh with his razor-sharp wit and quick sense of humour.
I remember feeling really disappointed the next time I was with 1 Platoon as I was looking forward to catching up with him again but he wasn't on patrol that day. It was therefore great when, 2 months later, he came to Almas to join us in 2 Platoon permanently. He always had a smile on his face, and could always be heard laughing and joking, lifting everyone's morale, no matter how bad a day it was.
Although he liked a laugh, Coops knew when to be serious and whenever I saw him on the ground his face would be tense with concentration as he knew how vital his role was. I'm really pleased that I got to know Coops on that first patrol, things just won't be the same around here without him. I miss my new friend. Rest in peace, mate.
-- Lance Corporal Johnny Cassell
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote There are some people you meet in life who make an impact that's impossible to forget. Daniel Cooper, Coops, was one of those rare few.
I got to know him at Patrol Base Jamil when he returned from R&R and I remember being struck by how much he had been missed by the rest of the lads, even though he had only been gone a few weeks. But that was Coops all over, Mr Morale. If you were bored you only had to look for Coops and you would either find him half asleep or singing along loudly and out of tune to whatever was on his ipod, or you might find him beasting someone in a half-nelson, with them shouting release!
Aside from the pranks he was an excellent soldier, bold and courageous but also diligent and cautious where required, especially with his metal detector, protecting his mates, which was a great source of pride to him, right up to the end. Coops always looked out for everyone. In fact the only time you would see him upset was when somebody else got hurt; he truly cared.
-- Lance Corporal Joe Studley
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote I still can't believe you've gone. It is a heavy blow to the platoon, who will forever miss your humour and your constant energy. It's hard as we both used to talk about doing NCO cadres, girls and how much we couldn't wait to get home. You will forever be in my heart. My thoughts go out to all your family and friends. Rest in peace, mate, I know you are watching over us.
-- Rifleman Tom Robson
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Well mate, I still can't believe you've gone. You will always have a place in my heart after 10 years of being mates. Do you remember the day I named you Mr Bean and you called me Nesquik; only your nickname stuck Bean!
Well one thing is for sure, I now have a massive hole in my heart which will never be filled. Rest in peace mate, I know Nathan Prince (Princey) will also be gutted you're gone. R.I.P. mate xxxxx
-- Rifleman Daniel Ian Cooper
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Where do I start, you and me were always good mates, really good mates. It just doesn't seem real that you're gone. You will never be forgotten mate, and will always be in our hearts.
My sympathy goes to all your friends and family back home. R.I.P. mate.
-- Rifleman Chris 'H' Hancock
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Coops – one of the best lads going, I always liked play-fighting with him, even though he always kicked my ass. I remember I hit him with a ball of mud once and that was it – he had me face down in the mud eating dirt. Such a competitor!
He was strong in the head and in the heart, and always cracked on with the job; I'll never forget his strong character and the way he walked with such confidence – he will never be forgotten – R.I.P. mate.
-- Rifleman Jason York
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Coops was one of those lads that you will never forget – he was a good lad and was easy to get on with. I will always remember Coops for being the lad that was always in the middle of things. I used to love just walking with Coops and watching him – he could never just walk anywhere without doing anything daft. He would always run up to someone else and ambush them for a bundle. He was a legend, and if you were play fighting you could hit him but it wasn't worth it; you had to let him win or else you would be there all day.
He was always there to put a smile on your face if you felt down, so thanks Coops mate for being a great lad – we will never forget you mate, and will always think of you. R.I.P. – love you always.
-- Rifleman Matthew ‘Smithy' Smith
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Lance Corporal Cooper was a good friend, a good soldier and was very brave. It is hard to describe in words what this fine individual was like. He was one of the lads through and through, his high morale helped push the lads through the worst of times. 'Coops' as his friends knew him, was never down and always up for a laugh. Coops was one to give his all, and ask for nothing back.
He helped me through the tough times, and when I needed cheering up. We were always on stag together, joking and laughing about good times in the past. He always spoke about his future. It is my belief he would have made an excellent, if not the best, section commander in the company. I will always remember Lance Corporal ‘Coops' and he will always be in my heart.
My thoughts go out to his family and friends and to anyone who had the opportunity to meet this fine, brave young man. Rest In Peace, mate.
-- Rifleman Josh ‘Corky' Cawkwell
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote When you talk about bravery, he will stand out. Lance Corporal 'Coops' was a hardworking lad, who was always smiling, you never saw him angry, or angry with anyone else. He always spoke about how he loved to play football, and could not wait to play again for the Battalion when we get back. He will be with us forever, even though he is gone.
-- Lance Corporal Lamin Sanneh
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Coops was always a hard worker, a lad who could always be relied upon and one who always gave his all. I had only known him for 3 months when I was moved to the patrol base where we worked together. I remember watching him have a kick around and was in awe of his skills.
He was definitely a young man who had so much potential within the Army, but he was also a pleasure to be around. He was someone who I found easy to get to know and someone I could always have a laugh with.
-- Lance Bombardier 'Arnie' Arnold
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote Lance Corporal Cooper, known to everyone as Coops, was such a big character in the platoon. He was always smiling and was liked by everyone. My favourite memory of Coops was on pre-deployment training in STANTA where he decided to strip off naked and drive around the FOB on his quad bike!
Coops was professional at his job and was one of the best men in the platoon. He will be a big loss to 2 Platoon and will be missed deeply by everyone. Rest in peace Coops.
-- Corporal Emma Henderson
26.01.2010 : Lasting Tribute wrote I first met 'Coops' out on the town as he knew one of my mates and we both got on very well. The next time we met was when I was sent to 1 Platoon. We then both moved down to join 2 Platoon, where our friendship grew. He was always pure morale when out on patrol, and no matter how bone the job, he would crack on with the matter in hand.
We did a lot of sandbagging together – we did the cadre! When we felt snapped he use to get us going again, and the time use to fly on stag with him. Words can't describe him properly, he was one of those people, who was just a morale boosting bloke, who was always there. I hope we meet again someday. We will all miss you mate.
-- Lance Corporal Simon Miller
29.01.2010 : Malcolm Rees wrote Rest in peace Daniel, you will be missed by all here in Hereford. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and friends.
01.03.2010 : Lorraine Webb wrote There are no words that can truly ease the pain of a sudden loss like this but if caring thoughts can help, they are with you there right now. My thoughts and prayers are with
you and your family at this time. Lorraine Webb, Truro, Cornwall & Seeley Lake, MT, USA
Lance Corporal Daniel Cooper from 3 Rifles