Obituary: Maurice Cooper, twice Mayor of Marlborough

Although his parents were from Marlborough, Maurice was born in Swindon as his Father was managing the family butchering business.

However at a young age they returned to Marlborough and Maurice would spend the rest of his life in the town.

When his cousin formed the 1st ATC squadron in Marlborough he was the first to join and encouraged his mates to join him. He continued in the ATC rising up the ranks to become the commanding officer in Marlborough and finished his career as a Flight Lieutenant in the ATC responsible for all the shooting in the Wilts/Dorest area. When Government regulations meant he had to retire from the ATC he then joined the Scout fellowship and was an active member for 20 years with two commendations.

Maurice loved cars, especially minis and 4×4 and in his younger days loved taking part in rally car racing. Maurice also loved scrambler bikes and loved scrambling.

Maurice met his future wife Rosemary at the church youth club and he was a lifelong member of the church. He was the last server at St Peters church and used to raise the flag. Maurice also enjoyed bell ringing and rang the bells on numerous historical occasions such as the Golden jubilee and Queen mothers 100th birthday.

Maurice loved cricket and enjoyed watching Marlborough cricket club play and helped out on the ground cutting the grass and hedges.

In 1983 Maurice was elected to Marlborough Town Council in a by-election and served continuously until his retirement from the council in 2007.

Maurice was very proud and honoured to be elected twice as Mayor by his fellow Councillors in 1989-90 and 2000-1 and one of his proudest moments was in 2000 Maurice was invited as Mayor with fellow Mayors from Wiltshire and the world to attend a service at Salisbury Cathedral. He was so pleased to represent Marlborough and as a representative of the 2nd oldest borough to proceed in front of Lord Mayors as he felt it showed how important the town he loved was.

After leaving school Maurice worked in the family butchery business, learning skills he later used to help others such as roasting pigs on a spit for many organisations. When the family shop closed Maurice joined the staff at Rawlings and Phillips eventually becoming manager of the shop in the High street where Boots now stands. When the shop closed in the early 70’s Maurice joined the agriculture part of the firm becoming an agronomist.

After retiring he continued his interest in nature becoming a volunteer for Natural England.

Although very ill he was delighted and very proud to see his Son Mark carry on the family tradition and become Marlborough 710th Mayor in May this year. He lived just long enough to see Mark put on the Mayoral day chain and attend his first civic function as Mayor the day before Maurice passed away.

His Grandfather, who also loved Marlborough bought three graves in Marlborough cemetery so his descendants could be buried together and that is where Maurice will be laid to rest.

His Son Mark said ” My Father was the most honest, decent, kind and Gentle man I have ever know. He was an amazing Husband and Father and I will miss him, think of him and love him every day for the rest of my life and I am very very proud to be his son”.

Mark Cooper, July 2020

Maurice’s funeral will take place in the morning of Wednesday, 8 July. The Hearse will travel around the High Street at approximately 10:10-10:15am for people to pay respects to one of Marlborough’s great servants of recent generations.