Gunner Ivor Eric Hooper
Unit : Regimental Headquarters, 53rd (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Airlanding Light Regiment, RA
Army No. : 14600489
Awards : Military Medal
Gunner Hooper travelled in the same glider as Gunner Baines MM.
Gunner Hooper was in the back seat of a glider taking part in the airborne operation for the crossing of the Rhine on 24th March 1945.
The glider was repeatedly hit by Anti-Aircraft fire, set alight before crash landing on the East bank of the River Issel, when it came under machine gun and heavy small arms fire.
Gunner Hooper however, taking no heed of the enemy or his own safety, rushed to the front and helped release a badly wounded officer lying pinned in the wreck. Together with another survivor he then waded the river under fire carrying the officer to the safety of our own lines, only to return immediately to what was now a blazing wreck to rescue the wounded glider pilot. In spite of a further outburst of fire directed at him Gunner Hooper succeeded in getting the pilot to safety. By his gallantry and complete disregard of obvious danger this man saved two lives from certain death by burning.