Mother’s day message from a crew member of HMAS Sydney
07 May 2008 From the collection, News, Personal Stories, Private Records by Kathryn Hicks. 3 Comments
Telegram From A.B. R. Cooper to his mother PR01950
When searching through the Memorial’s Private Records collection this item was found.
The telegram was sent from Able Seaman Rex Cooper to his mother on Mother’s Day 1941. Born in 1920, Rex Cooper joined the RAN in March 1938. He became part of the crew of HMAS Sydney as an Ordinary Seaman in September 1938. He was promoted to Able Seaman in 1939 and served on the Sydney until his death in 1941.
Also held in the collection is a diary written by Rex Cooper ranging from 1939 to February 1941. It covers life aboard the Sydney. Below is the page written when he joined the ship.
Page from diary written by A.B R. Cooper detailing first day on HMAS Sydney PR01950
The Memorial also holds photographs of Rex Cooper in its collection. The photograph below is attached to his Roll of Honour entry.
Photograpgh of R. Cooper P03645.001
May 12th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Poignant.
How did these items come to be in the AWM collection? What is their provenance?
May 13th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
For Bob Meade: These items were generously donated to the AWM by a member of the family.
May 13th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Thanks. That’s what I thought would be the case, and I suppose it is often.