Presentation to Sergeant William Cooper, Market Place, Cheadle

Description:This postcard scene shows a presentation being made to Sergeant William Cooper D.C.M. (Distinguished Conduct Medal), on Tuesday 9 May 1916, in the Market Place, Cheadle.

The following article on Sergeant Cooper’s presentation was published in the Liverpool Journal of Commerce on Thursday 11 May 1916.

Colliery Proprietor Honours Brave Soldier.
Mr H S Higginbottom, the well-known colliery proprietor, paid a visit to Cheadle, Staff’s this week end to take part in a popular demonstration in the welcome home of Sergeant Wm. Cooper, who won the D.C.M. in France, in recognition of his bravery in conducting a raiding attack on the German trenches, which was very successful. Cooper, prior to the war, was employed at the New Haden Collieries, Cheadle, of which Mr Higginbottom is the proprietor, and it was on behalf of the company and the employees Mr Higginbottom presented Sergeant Cooper with a gold albert and medal, and a purse of gold. Sergeant Cooper also had presentations from the Cheadle Parish Council, the Zion Men’s Bible Class, Cooper’s brother Oddfellows, and from the citizens of Cheadle. Mr Higginbottom’s interest in his employees at all the collieries of which he is the proprietor is well-known and appreciated, and his visit to Cheadle and the personal presentation of the gifts is only another instance of his regard for the welfare of the workers.