‘It wrecked the lives of some but it made me’
Fred Cooper was one of the fortunate ones. Not only did he return home from war, but it also made him stronger.
The 97-year-old, who lives in Gore, is one of a diminishing number of Southland veterans still alive from World War II.
An engineer in the 7th Field Company Engineers, he served in the Middle East and the experience gave him an inner steel to draw on in later life.
It made him a man. ‘‘I realised I wasn’t a ‘yes’ boy, meek and mild. I learnt how to stand up for myself and have my own ideals.’’
Cooper considers himself one of the fortunate. ‘‘It wrecked the lives of some people but it made me – I got educated there.’’
Alcohol, especially wine, was plentiful during his time at war, taking away the fear for many men. But some who arrived home kept on drinking.
Understandable, given what they had seen and endured on the battlefields. Thousands never came home, including some of Cooper’s mates.
Fast forward 74 years and Cooper has never lost his connection with those times.
He has been associated with the Gore RSA since 1946, is a life member, and has played a big part in supporting veterans.
He has also been associated with Anzac Day since 1960.
Memories are sure to come back – of being under fire while building a replacement bridge that was vital for the movement of Allied tanks and supplies; of clearing minefields on hand and knee; of patching up roads; and of always being alert.
‘‘There was a lot of tension – [you were] on the alert like a caged animal, ready to strike to protect yourself,’’ he recalls.
When first returning home, the tension remained and slight movements would wake him. But he got on with his life, married, had a family and for years owned a building business.
Anzac Day, Cooper says, should be a reminder to the public that the freedom they enjoy is down to those people who fought past wars.
If World War II had been lost, New Zealand would have been overtaken by the Japanese, he said.
‘‘To keep your country, you have to be ready to fight. I thought it was my job, service to the country. I would do it again, yes.’’