Ralph E. Cooper - Private - B42948

Ralph Copper was born in Rosetown , Saskatchewan, on Christmas Eve, 1914. He grew up in Girabaldi, Ontario. He enlisted in the Canadian Army at the beginning of August 1940, joining the infantry regiment The Dufferin and Haldimand Rifles of Canada. He took basic training and guard duties at Camp Niagara for eleven months, and advanced training  and guard duties at Camp Nanaimo for another 2 ½ months. 

At the end of August 1941, a little over a year after enlisting, he left Canada from Sussex, New Brunswick, and arrived in England several days later. He saw action in Europe and was wounded when shot in the leg. His injuries were severe, and he was sent to hospital in England to receive treatment. He was eventually shipped home and recovered in hospital in Toronto, where he was discharged in April 1945.

He was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France Germany Star, Defence Medal, CVSM & Clasp, and War Medal 1939-45. After the war he worked for Pedlar Castings (formerly Fittings Limited) in Oshawa, Ontario. He married Marjorie Doreen Taylor on July 16, 1949. They raised a family – three children: Holly, Edward, and Richard. He retired December 31, 1979, after 28 years at the company. 

We thank him for his service.

NM