A message received about Edward Cooper from his son Mark:-
“Unfortunately I need to let you know that my Dad (Edward Cooper) passed away at the end of November. His life was joyous and greatly influenced by his upbringing in Chichester and at the High School for Boys…..setting him up to win a scholarship to Oxford. This was all kindly remembered in the tribute at his funeral on 18th December.
We still have great connections in the area with his sister and husband in Littlehampton and his daughter in Brighton (I’m the bad apple living in Paris).”
Bill Allen adds:
“I am sorry to hear of your father’s death. I remember him as a prefect when I was a new boy at the school.” The Martlet has a number of entries about Edward. He was Deputy Vice-Captain in 1954-55. Scholastically he won the French prize in VIAU ’54 and German in ’55. Examination A Levels in History & Latin and a distinction for French. He was awarded a State Scholarship in Modern Languages at Worcester College Oxford.
While still at school Edward was a front row forward in the First XV. Described as “a hard working forward who has improved with every game”
Edward clearly enjoyed life at Oxford, The Martlet in Old Boys News describes his extra curricular activity in 1957 thus ” Edward Cooper became an example to the Kremlin of the degeneracy of the British undergraduate, since a group of Russian teachers touring England took a photograph of him leading a pantomime horse down the middle of Oxford High Street. Edward assures us this was closely connected with the production of the Worcester College Play, which has occupied most of his time this term. He was also to be seen with a Baldric and Bells dancing through the streets on May morning with the OU Morris Men!”
Later in the Spring 1959 edition adds “Edward Cooper was recovering as usual from a bibulous eveing at the Perch Tavern. He professes to be working hard for Schools but since his duties as President of the University German Society take up much time so we wonder……This elevated office caused him to be invited to cocktails at the German Embassy, which he had to decline due to pressing engagements!