Cooper, James Duncan (Able Seaman, b.1907 - d.1978)

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Accession Number 3DRL/6478
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement Extent: 1 cm; Wallet/s: 1
Object type Diary, Photograph, Object
Maker Cooper, James Duncan
Place made At sea, Australia
Date made 1940-1941
Access Open
Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. AWM315 419/022/027
Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

Collection relating to the Second World War service of 18905 Able Seaman James Duncan Cooper, HMAS Perth, Australia and at sea, 1940-1941.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Contains a bound black and white photocopied diary kept by Cooper during the period 8 November 1940 to 23 May 1941 whilst serving in HMAS Perth. Cooper opens the diary en route to joining HMAS Perth, and details convoy work around Australia and sailing to Alexandria in late November including descriptions of various ports of call. During 1941 Cooper outlines patrol and convoy duties in the Mediterranean such as the transport of troops, air raids, encounters with enemy submarines, repair work to HMAS Perth and recreational activities. He also records detailed accounts for events such as the Battle of Cape Matapan, the bombardment of Piraeus on 6 April 1941 and the evacuation of Allied troops from Greece during late April 1941. Closing diary entries cover an encounter with a small enemy ship and German bombers followed by HMAS Perth sailing into Alexandria for repairs on 24 April 1941.

The collection also includes a photograph of Cooper holding a 6-inch shell taken by George Silk on 25 March 1941, and his original HMAS Perth tally band.

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