Memorial to city tank victims

Aug 22 2005 By Poppy Brady, Evening Mail

IT MAY have been half a century ago but Roy Cooper's mum Violet remembers as if it was yesterday.

The 92-year-old grandmother can recall a young policeman running to her door to tell her that her 20-year-old son Roy had been crushed to death by a runaway tank.

It happened as he slept with other young soldiers at a TA training camp exercise on Salisbury Plain.

Now 50 years later, Roy and four other young soldiers who died in the same tragedy on August 19, 1955, have been honoured by family and friends at Rubery Royal British Legion.

"I can remember passing out with the shock of the news," said Violet.

Now wheelchair-bound, she still lives in the same house where she brought up Roy, in Speene Road, Northfield. "I am lucky enough to have three other sons but nothing can prepare you for hearing terrible news like that," she said.

Roy was among members of the Rubery squadron of the Queen's Own Hussars who died when a Charioteer tank rolled down a slope and killed comrades.

Survivor Les Astill, aged 71, who is chairman of Rubery Royal British Legion, has campaigned for years to put up a plaque in memory of his childhood pals.

The others who died were Peter Wayn, aged 20, of Rockley Grove, Rednal; Len Warman, aged 23, of New Road, Rubery; Ray Dix, aged 20, of Rednal and Ivan Williams, aged 25, of Gladys Road, Smethwick.

Roy's friend Gordon Pallett, who was with him when he died, said: "It was a terrible night. Roy was fatally injured because his legs were crushed. There was nothing we could do."

Captain Jeremy Suggs, of the Church Army, who read the sermon at St Chad's Church, Rubery, followed by the unveiling of a plaque at Rubery British Legion, said: "This service is not just to mark VJ Day to remember those who died in conflict, but also to remember those who died in service like these young men."