Ordinary Seaman

William Henry Cooper

Conflict: 
Korean
NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

"William Cooper, a farm labourer, joined the RNZN for six years from 18 February 1949. He first went to HMNZS Bellona from September 1949 to February 1950.  That month on the 11th he was posted to the Loch-class frigate HMNZS Tutira.  With the outbreak of the Korean War, Tutira was deployed as part of New Zealand’s contribution to the UN naval forces.  While Tutira sailing in company with HMNZS Pukaki passing Yonakuni Island off the coast of Taiwan on the afternoon of 29 July 1950, Cooper was lost overboard and drowned, He was standing on guardrails to spread awnings which was a very dangerous practice and firmly discouraged. He lost his footing and fell overboard into clam seas. Unfortunately, he could not swim. Despite searching for an hour, his body was not recovered."

[ navymuseum.co.nz/explore/by-themes/post-war-1970/rnzn-personnel-killed-and-wounded-on-active-service-in-korea. Retrieved 16/4/2022]

Public Contributions:

There are no public contributions written for this casualty

Personal Tributes:

Casualty

Service Number: 
NZ12902
Name:
William Henry Cooper
Rank: 
Ordinary Seaman
Date of Birth:
18 February 1931
Place of Birth: 
Cromwell, Otago, New Zealand
Date of Enlistment:
Not known

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:
Accidental drowning
Date of Death:
29 July 1950
Day of Death:
Saturday
Conflict: 
Korean

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:
Kayforce

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery Location: 
South Korea
William Henry Cooper
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