Former Watford fireman Les Cooper receives guard of honour at funeral

Leslie Cooper passed away peacefully aged 97 on April 3.

He faithfully worked to protect the people of Watford for three decades, up until his retirement, and one of the historic fire vehicles that Les, as he was commonly known, used was present as loved ones said their goodbyes at West Herts Crematorium on April 26.

A 1930s fire truck ridden by Les was present at his funeral, along with serving firefighters from Garston. Credit: Joy Cooper

Les Cooper came to Watford in his early 20s, after serving his country during the war.

Originally from Deal in Kent, Les, the youngest of three children, was a dispatch rider in the fire brigade before joining the RAF and becoming a mechanic.

Initially, the previously "mischievous" boy was stationed at various sites in the UK, but was later sent to Burma where he stayed for 14 months.

Les, left, pictured with his sister Pauline and brother Sidney on a bike during their childhood

Upon is return to Britain, Les set about rejoining the fire brigade but there were no vacancies. But there was an opportunity at the fire station in Watford High Street, which he grabbed.

Mr Cooper would spend the next 30 years of his life serving the people of Watford, transferring to Garston when the High Street fire station moved to Whippendell Road, before returning to the town centre.

It was in Watford where Les met his first wife, Constance, who worked across the road from the High Street fire station at the tax office.

They married at Leavesden Road Baptist Church in February 1949 and together went on to have two sons - Robert in 1950 and Martin in 1954.

In those days firemen slept through the night if they weren’t called out, and many had second jobs; Les was no exception. He delivered for Watford Furniture Company and later with his fireman pal, Arthur King, worked together as scenery painters and scene shifters and duty firemen at Watford Palace Theatre. He also says that with three others, they both joined in as extras, playing the part of locals in one production.

Les Cooper, left, pictured with his crewmate Arthur King when they served in Watford

The family were active members of Leavesden Road Baptist Church, and Les remained a committed member until his death. Constance was church caretaker for 14 years before she died aged 52 of lung cancer.

In his early fifties, after 30 years’ service, Les decided to retire from the fire brigade and join the Fire Research Station, as it was known then, in Borehamwood. He would go on to work into his seventies, where the enterprise found good use for his practical skills refitting laboratories and making wicks for testing fire alarms.

Les' regular visits to his hometown of Deal to see his sister Pauline led him to be reacquainted with an old girlfriend he had lost touch with. Minnie was also widowed, and soon they married and moved to Watford, where they would go onto ride the lanes of England on Les' BMW motorcycle.

Minnie would later pass away after she was struck down with dementia. Les continued to enjoy life, with his ex-fireman pal John Martin, and he would enjoy a weekly game of darts at the Regent Club.

Leslie Cooper pictured aged in his 90s at the Bricklayers Arms in Flaunden

But falls left Les in much pain and during the lockdown, he became more frail. One evening, after complaining of chest pains, he was taken into hospital for observation and after falling asleep he slipped away peacefully aged 97.

At his funeral at West Herts Crematorium on April 26, a fire engine from the 1930s led the cortege into the grounds; it was a fire tender that Les had ridden during his early career. Outside the chapel there stood a guard of honour of serving firefighters from Garston Fire station and his colourful casket displayed pictures of firemen and fire tenders.

His son, Robert, believes his dad in his own right was a teacher, whether it be helping his mother cope with "exasperation" when he was just a kid, to leading his comrades in Burma and being the comedian on the watch at the fire station.

Les pictured with his mother when he was ahed 16

He taught his sons the meaning of "devotion" and that they could rely on his "never-ending support".

Robert said: "In all my days, I never ever saw my dad lose his temper, and goodness knows that in my younger days I gave him good reason to do so, but his calmness and forgiving nature has stayed with me.

"So yes, he was a teacher, and my memories of a great man and the lessons he taught me will stay with me forever." Robert added: "The funeral was a fitting goodbye to a great man."

In his eulogy at West Herts Crematorium, Robert said: "I smile, as I think of the man who was dad. He was always good-humoured, though sometimes quite mad. Solid yet unpredictable; as workmate / friend / father: loyal."