Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Ex-soldier’s award for his decades of helping servicemen
A former Canterbury soldier who has dedicated almost 30 years of his life to helping military veterans in need has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
James “Blue” Cooper, 62, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for his services to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association charity.
The father- of- three – who was a Pioneer Sergeant in The Queen’s Regiment – has helped countless ex- servicemen, women and their dependants with issues ranging from bereavement and debt to homelessness and disability.
He is well known among local veterans, regularly runs his own private military help surgeries on the Spring Lane Estate and has just helped a disabled Gurkha soldier and his family find a home.
Divisional secretary for the charity Maj Gerry Bartlett said: “He left the Army more than 30 years ago with an exemplary record and ever since has quietly, effectively and modestly looked after soldiers, sailors, airmen and their families down on their luck.
“I have never known him to refuse to deal with a case, however taxing, complicated or inconvenient.
“If ever a man deserved an award for kindness, selflessness and total dedication to the welfare of all former and serving servicemen, women and their dependants, it is James ‘Blue’ Cooper.”
Speaking of the honour, Mr Cooper, who lives in Suffolk Road, said: “I am as pleased as Punch.
“My most rewarding case was helping a young former soldier from my own regiment who I found sleeping rough in Canterbury and recognised me as his old Sergeant.
“Through SSAFA, I was able to find money to get the lad off the streets, into a secure hostel and eventually back into work.”
Mr Cooper, who works as a caretaker at Canterbury Christ Church University and St Peter’s Methodist Church, also runs a thriving veterans’ club called the Vipers.
‘I have never known him to refuse to deal with a case, however taxing, complicated or inconvenient’