Neville Bowes Elliott-Cooper
Lieutenant Colonel, commanding the 8th Battalion. The Royal Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 253 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Colonel (register: Temp. Lieutenant Colonel) all Lieutenant-Colonels →
- Unit
- commanding the 8th Battalion. The Royal Fusiliers all Royal Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 30 November 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 13th February 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 22nd January 1889 at London
- Died
- 11th February 1918 at Hanover, Germany. (Died on of wounds)
- Memorial / grave
- grave in Hamburg Cemetery, Germany and in Ripon Cathedral
Digest of citation
On 30 in November 1917 east of La Vacquerie, near Cambrai, France, when the enemy had broken through our outpost line, Lieutenant Colonel Elliot-Cooper seeing them advancing across the open, mounted the Parapet calling upon the reserve company and details from battalion headquarters to follow. Absolutely unarmed, he made straight for the advancing enemy and under his direction his men forced them back 600 yards. While still yards in front he was severely wounded and realising that his force was greatly outnumbered, he signalled to them to withdraw, knowing that he must be taken prisoner. He Died on of his wounds three months later in Germany
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
ELLIOTT-COOPER, Neville Bowes. (reg No. 253).
Lieutenant Colonel, commanding the 8th Battalion. The Royal Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on 13th February 1918.
Born on 22nd January 1889 at London.
Died on 11th February 1918 at Hanover, Germany. (Died on of wounds).
Memorial at grave in Hamburg Cemetery, Germany and in Ripon Cathedral.
Digest of Citation reads: On 30 in November 1917 east of La Vacquerie, near Cambrai, France, when the enemy had broken through our outpost line, Lieutenant Colonel Elliot-Cooper seeing them advancing across the open, mounted the Parapet calling upon the reserve company and details from battalion headquarters to follow. Absolutely unarmed, he made straight for the advancing enemy and under his direction his men forced them back 600 yards. While still yards in front he was severely wounded and realising that his force was greatly outnumbered, he signalled to them to withdraw, knowing that he must be taken prisoner. He Died on of his wounds three months later in Germany.
Additional information: Colonel Elliott-Cooper also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Military Cross (MC). information: Major Elliott-Cooper also held the Médaille Militaire of France.
Additional information
Colonel Elliott-Cooper also held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and the Military Cross (MC). information: Major Elliott-Cooper also held the Médaille Militaire of France.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: grave in Hamburg Cemetery, Germany and in Ripon Cathedral
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Neville Bowes Elliott-Cooper by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.