Robert Cooper

Although entered for both gymnastic and swimming competitions at the 1906 Athens Olympics, Robert Cooper fared better in the former as he was a Scottish international gymnast. He was a member of the famous Leith Gymnastic Club that won the Scottish Club Championship eight times in the early part of the 20th century and were also the champions of Great Britain and Ireland in 1903. Cooper captained Leith to many of their successes. He was the top scorer in the annual triangular match between Scotland, Wales and England in 1910, and was the overall Scottish champion in 1911. Although he failed to retain his title the following year, Cooper did win the horizontal bars title. He joined the Stockbridge club in Edinburgh in 1914 and helped them win the Scottish title. He was also a fine wrestler and won the Scottish Cumberland middleweight title in 1906.

Cooper was the son of a tailor from the Orkney Isle of Stronsay, who went into his father’s profession. Private Cooper joined the Scots Guards during World War I, and after being reported as “missing in action” was, in April 1918 reported as “killed in action the previous year”, but with place of death unknown.