This gallant officer was a pilot of the Fleet Airm Arm of 800 Squadron, HMS Ark Royal. He was involved in many of the epic raids and campaigns from the start of the war till his death in 1941. He flew on missions to attempt to sink the Bismarck and was invloved in the Malta runs. On one such mission his log reads:
Lieutenant Rooper piloting the Blackburn Skua Dive bomber is talking about events on 9th July 1940 - flying from the Ark Royal.
"We received an RDF report, and as a result sighted a formation of three Fiat CR 42s, 10 miles from the Fleet and coming straight towards us. green Leader attacked from head on: the enemy then pulled up in a spectacular "Prince of Wales Feathers". The centre Fiat continued in an upward roll and, as he was just about to stall-turn off the top, I got in a 3-second, no deflection burst.I believe the enemy was hit - a small puff of smoke was observed from the fuselage, but this may have been caused by the pilot opening the throttle. By this time the other two aircraft had come around, one on each quarter. I turned to port and carried out a beam attack on the No 2 Fiat, firing a 2 second burst, range about 500 yards. By this time the other two enemy were out of sight behind me ,I half-rolled. When I pulled out I found another Fiat in front and above me. He was on the tail of Green 3. I carried out a stern attack,firing a 2 second burst. He then turned violently away. I then broke away and rejoined the other two Skuas over the fleet. Enemy made no attempt to follow. Sometime during the course of the engagement my Observer had cause to fire his Lewis gun. A stoppage occurred after one round."
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