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Frame grab from an oral history interview of the mother of an injured British military veteran

A veteran interview with

Shelley Cooper

Frame grab from an oral history interview of the mother of an injured British military veteran
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About Shelley Cooper

Sparked from his involvement in the Air Cadets, hearing that her son, Kingsman Anthony Cooper, had signed up to the army at 16 was something Shelley Cooper never wanted to hear. She recounts how, despite her reluctance, she let him leave home and eventually serve tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

In July 2010, Anthony was severely injured by an IED leading to him lose both his legs, one eye, several fingers, and suffer from a devastating blast brain injury. Doctors told him that he would never walk or eat normally again but, as the determined mother she is, Shelley did not lose hope on his rehabilitation.

Shelley shares the emotional journey of being told of Anthony’s injuries, visiting him in Birmingham hospital and her support in his recovery at Moseley Hall hospital and Headley Court. By staying strong and fighting for the best care, Shelley ensured that Anthony had every opportunity to succeed in his rehabilitation, despite others’ doubts and his own fears.

Like mother, like son, Shelley’s interview shows the commitment and resilience both she and Anthony displayed in the face of adversity.

Credits

Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker
Reviewed by:
Brooke Piper

Transcripts:
Please note that transcripts and closed captions in the video player are automatically generated by Vimeo.

Copyright:
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Home | Veterans | Shelley Cooper

A veteran interview with

Shelley Cooper

Frame grab from an oral history interview of the mother of an injured British military veteran

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https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shelley-cooper/

Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Cooper, Shelley. A Veteran Interview with Shelley Cooper. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee, 8 Feb. 2016 https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shelley-cooper/. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.
APA Style:
Cooper, S. (2016, February 8). A Veteran Interview with Shelley Cooper [Interview by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee. Retrieved September 10, 2026, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shelley-cooper/
Chicago Style:
Cooper, Shelley. 2016. A Veteran Interview with Shelley Cooper. Interview by Martin Bisiker. Legasee, February 8. Accessed September 10, 2026. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shelley-cooper/
Harvard Style:
Cooper, S. (2016). A Veteran Interview with Shelley Cooper. [Interviewed by Martin Bisiker]. Legasee, 8 February. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shelley-cooper/ (Accessed: 10 September 2026)
Vancouver Style:
Cooper, S. A Veteran Interview with Shelley Cooper [Internet]. Interview by M. Bisiker. Legasee; 2016 Feb 8 [cited 2026 Sep 10]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/shelley-cooper/
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WWII ATA Spitfire Pilot

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Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker