The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J E Cooper

James Enerton Cooper, of Luton, was born on 8th November 1918, the son of Albert and Margaret Priscilla Cooper (nee Enerton).

He was employed by Luton Corporation Parks Department as a storekeeper clerk when he joined the RAFVR in April 1939. He did his weekend flying at 29 E&RFTS Luton.

Called to full-time service on 1st September 1939, he was posted to 4 ITW Bexhill in November.

On 30th April 1940 Cooper went to 15 EFTS Redhill. He moved to 15 FTS Brize Norton on 17th June and then to 15 AFTS Chipping Norton on 11th August.

Above: F/O JJ O’Meara, Sgt. JE Cooper, Knight, F/O P Barthropp, Sgt. Goodwin, Sgt. C Le Roux

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On 23rd September Cooper went to 7 OTU Hawarden to convert to Spitfires. On 6th October he joined 610 Squadron at Acklington.

On 27th October Cooper became separated from his section on an evening flight. In failing light and bad conditions he went down low to get his bearings. He lost R/T contact, climbed, then went into a spin. He baled out and landed unhurt.

Cooper was posted from 610 to 602 Squadron at Westhampnett on 14th December 1940 and joined it on the 16th.

He was killed on 9th September 1941 as a Sergeant with 91 Squadron. His Spitfire I R7276 dived into the sea off Dungeness while escorting a Walrus on an ASR exercise, cause unknown (report below).

Cooper is buried in Luton Church Burial Ground.

Above image courtesy of Julia Keld.