Henry Cooper (VC)

Landed during bombardment to burn hostile stores at Taganrog

Henry Cooper grew up in the Plymouth and Devonport area and entered the Royal Navy as a boy. His early service included operations against the slave trade off West Africa. In 1848 he was in a boat party that captured an armed slaving vessel despite heavy fire.

As boatswain of HMS Miranda he served during the Crimean War. His ship operated in northern Russian waters as well as the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. Cooper also saved a badly injured sailor who had been blown overboard in a gun accident, keeping him afloat until help arrived.

On 3 June 1855 he accompanied Lieutenant Cecil Buckley ashore at Taganrog. The town was defended by Russian troops and was under Allied bombardment. Landing repeatedly from a small boat, they set government stores and other military supplies alight while exposed to fire. Their conduct brought both men the Victoria Cross.

Cooper also helped the wounded Captain Lyons aboard Miranda during the Sevastopol operations. Queen Victoria presented his cross at the first investiture in Hyde Park on 26 June 1857. French recognition came through the Legion of Honour, while his campaign medals commemorated Baltic and Crimean service.

He married Margery Searle and raised a family of seven children. After retiring from the Navy he lived at Torpoint, Cornwall. He died there on 15 July 1893 and was buried at Antony. His named five-medal group later entered the Ashcroft collection.

Official Victoria Cross citation

Performed the desperate service of landing at Taganrog in presence of a large force, to set fire to the Government Stores. See preceding Memoir of Commander Buckley. (Admiral Lord Lyons’ Despatch, 6th June, 1855, No. 429.)

Supplement to The London Gazette of 24 February 1857. 24 February 1857, Numb. 21971, p. 650