Private Brian N Copp

Brian Noble Copp was born in Halifax and lived in Lancashire prior to enlistment into the Highland Light Infantry during World War II.

He volunteered for service with The Parachute Regiment, qualifying as a military parachutist on Course 104, which ran at RAF Ringway from 21 February to 2 March 1944, and joined 9th Parachute Battalion shortly before the Normandy landings to liberate North West Europe. The 9th Battalion was tasked with the crucial task of neutralising the guns at Merville Battery which threatened the main taskforce and landings.

Pte Brian Copp died on the first day of the landings on 6 June 1944, aged just 18 years, and is now buried at Hottot-Les-Bagues War Cemetery, Calvados, Normandy.

Cemetery photograph courtesy of CWGC.