A WAR veteran who became a top Bolton police officer has died.

Harold Cooper was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few weeks ago and lost his fight for life yesterday, aged 83.

He served with the Royal Navy during the Second World War and was a signaller on one of the landing crafts used at Omaha Beach during the D-Day crossings of 1944.

He rarely spoke of his involvement in the Omaha landings, where thousands of servicemen from the US Army, US Navy and Royal Navy lost their lives as they battled to gain control of the beach.

Mr Cooper was born in Darcy Lever. He attended St Simon and St Jude School in Great Lever. After the war, he worked as a clerk before joining the police in 1951. He served for 33 years and was promoted to the rank of Chief Inspector.

He lived with his wife Marjorie in Thurstane Street, Halliwell. They first met at the Palais in Bolton and were married for 59 years.

He leaves four children — Harold, Stephen, Peter, and Liz — six grandchildren and a great grandchild.

Stephen, aged 55, an engineer in Surrey, said: “Dad was well known and well liked in the area. He was a good police officer and made a difference to the community.”

Mr Cooper enjoyed football and cricket, and was a member of Doffcocker Angling Club.

He was also chairman of the North-west Landing Craft Veterans’ Association.

amanda.smith@thebolton news.co.uk