To foolow on from the harry gem thread re abandoned graves at Warstone Lane, etc
Private James Cooper V.C. was born in Brum 5th Feb 1840. He joined the 2nd battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot (2nd Warwickshires). This Regt became - in 1881 - the South Wales Borderers - under the Cardwell reforms. (yet another reduction in our army). It fought at Isandlwhana - as the Warwicks and had quite a few Brummies in - not all welsh (+ Micheal Caine - Bbut not a lot of people know that)
He won his V.C. in 1867 (It had only been created 1856, backdated to 1854 - Crimean War)
He won it by playing at being a Sailor!
In the bay of Bengal lie the Andaman Islands, (north of Nicobar islands, which are north of Sumatra - probably all clled something else these days), which in the 19th century had a bad reputation. For centuries they had been attacked & pillaged by pirates & slavers from india & Indo-China and, as a result, the natives came to have an intense hostility to any foreigners. This often had dire consequences for any poor innocents who happened to be shipwrecked in the area. (many 'legitimate' traders dabbkled with slavery on the side).
In April 1867 a ship called "Assam Valley" foundered off the island of Little Andaman with the loss of her skipper & 7 crew. A punitive expedition was sent in the steamer 'Arracan' with 3 officers & 100 Other ranks of the 24th from Rangoon where they were currently stationed.
17 men landed to investigate what had happened to the Assam Valley men, but they came under heavy arrow fire and had to retreat to the beach (a favourite recourse). Howeever a fierce storm had built up with heavy crashing surf which swamped their boat. They were stranded, running low on ammo and outnumbered.
A resue boat was launched and swamped by high waves. A raft was al;so launched, without success.
Fortunately - Assistant- Surgeon Douglas (a Canadian) was on hand. Whilst at rangoon, to while away the time, he had trained a boats crew (4 men) from the Regt to participate in local Regatta's, etc. They had become such a good team they had been banned from entering any more participation in the annual Rangoon Regatta!
The men were 3 Irishmen & a Brummie. Prvates Bell, Griffiths, Murphy & Cooper took the ships Gig (a very light small rowing boat). Initially the were turned back by the surf, but noting some men had manged to get on the raft launched earlier, but had been swept off again by the seas, Douglas immediately jumped and swam to them. The Gig went in through the surf twice and got all 17 mwen safely back.
to Quote " The shore party being thus rescued from the virtual certainty of being massacred and eaten by savages". "The surf was running high and the boat was in constant danger of being swamped, but Assistant Surgeon Douglas handled it with extraordinary coolness and skill and, being splendidly supported by the four men, who showed no signs of hesitation or uncertainty, keeping cool and collected"
The Officers wanted all the resuers to have aqn honour in recognition of their bravery and on the 17th December 1867 all were awarded the Victoria Cross.
James Cooper later left the army, and it is believed he worked as a jeweller in the jewellery Quarter. He passed away on the 9th August 1889, aged 49. He is buried ina Public (unmarked) grave.
The Victoria Cross society has placed a plaque in his honour on the wall of the Lodge Building in Warstone Lane. It can be seen through the fence as you enter the Cemetery.
ps Griffiths stayed with the Regt and fought at Isandlwana.
So many squaddies eventually die poor. having sold their medals, etc along the way. Public Graves at Warstone Lane cannot have official headstones.
We are gradually fighting nature in this area to reclaim the land as burial plots, rather than a wilderness.
We appreciate Bereavement Services do what they can - They do not get much of the 'pot' from the Council, and of course, as listed cemeteries, in Conservatuion areas, even tidying up can be frought with difficulties.
If you vist the area pop in to see Mary in the Tourist Info (Shut on Sundays/Mondays). She has a scrapbook of 6 Brummie V.C.'s. (there is 1 in Witton - that's for another day)
For interest, until 1920 - it copuld be taken off you for subsequent disreputable behaviou, and had happen 8 times, before widow wrote to King George (V) saying that subsequent behaviour did not diminish the bravery or the original act. She stated 'Even should a V.C. be hanged for murder, he should be able to wear his V.C. on the scaffold.'
KGV agreed and the ruke was revoked!
