Town Hall, Stockton: The Underage Soldier who Won a VC
Edward Cooper decided to join the army but was turned away because at the age of 18 he was too young. Feeling despondent he left Stockton’s Town Hall but he bumped into a recruitment officer who suggested he go away and “have another birthday that afternoon”.
A few hours later Cooper then lied about his age so he would be eligible.
He went on to be awarded the Victoria Cross at the age of 21 after he ran towards German lines during the battle of Passchendaele in 1917. He describes pointing a pistol at the surrendering Germans which then “went off” so he shot one of them.
He returned to live on Teesside and his medal is now kept at Preston Hall Museum.
Location: Town Hall, Stockton on Tees TS18 1UB
Image: Edward Cooper and his wife on their wedding day, courtesy of the Cooper family
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