"This young man was a year younger than my daughter - I look at her with her life ahead of her.......uni in September then later, hopefully, marriage and children. This young man will know none of that but as Lieutenant Colonel Nick Kitson, Commanding Officer, 3 RIFLES Battle Group, said:
"Lance Corporal Daniel Cooper was one of the great characters of the battalion; his sense of
humour and zest for life were topped only by his ability and determination. The consummate soldier,
he was the complete package; fit, bright and dedicated to his work. Ever cheerful and irrepressibly
positive, he shone as an example to the more junior Riflemen on how to act and what to aim for.
"Lance Corporal Cooper was cruelly taken from us while doing the job he loved. He had survived
numerous brushes with danger in this tough fight alongside colleagues and mates who respected,
trusted and loved him. The loss of a Rifleman brimming with such talent and potential leaves a real
gap in the Battle Group for the here and now and in this his battalion for the longer term.
"The thoughts and prayers of this whole Battle Group go out to his family and loved ones. We
know that they, like us, will take comfort from fond memories of a man who truly loved life and made
every second of it count. We shall continue with the noble task for which he laid down his life,
steeled by his unhesitating sacrifice and in the certain knowledge that this is what he would expect
of us.
"A proud son of Herefordshire, he will be sorely missed by us all."
http://daniel-cooper.gonetoosoon.org/" - Titwillow1 |