Sad Passing of Bob Cowper

The Adelaide Advertiser has reported on the passing of a great Australian in Bob Cowper, who was well known in the South Australian bloodstock and racing industry.

Courtesy Adelaide Advertiser, Craig Cook - One of Australia's most highly decorated Word War II veterans has died suddenly at his home in Adelaide.

Former squadron leader and fighter pilot Bob Cowper, who survived dozens of wartime missions and the crashing of his Mosquito aircraft on two occasions, died on Sunday.

He would have turned 94 this Friday.

Leader of the famous 456 RAAF Night Fighters, Mr Cowper's many medals included a Distinguished Flying Cross (with bar) for gallantry, the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and the French Legion of Honour, for his heroics during the D-Day invasion at Normandy in June 1944.

"I remember on the first night of D-Day (June 6) the squadron shot down four aircraft near Normandy,'' he recalled in 2014 when living at Netley. "Altogether, I think we shot down about 35 aircraft over the beach."

His remarkable exploits as a World War II Ace are recorded in his biography Chasing Shadows , released in 2007.

He was married for 70 years to Katherine, who died in 2014. One of their four daughters, Helen, married horse trainer Peter Jolly and the couple have two sons, David and Richard, who are also well-known trainers .

David Jolly's distinctive racing colours of white with a royal blue and red roundel, designed by Mr Cowper from the RAAF colours and insignia.

"As far as we are aware, Bob was the only surviving war ace from World War II," family spokesman Peter Jolly said.

"We had just got him settled in a nursing home – and mentally , he was still all there – but unfortunately he passed away quietly on Sunday."

Mr Cowper was held in such high regard that retired Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus Houston will return from overseas , to join several other military dignitaries, for the funeral, which is yet to be announced.

Respected South Australian bloodstock agent Adrian Hancock drew our attention to his passing.

"Bob bred and raced numerous horses and his best was a very good mare called Forextra trained by Peter Jolly," Hancock recalled.

"He was also Chairman of ABCOS in the late eighties and during his tenure he was instrumental in saving it from an unwanted hostile takeover and instead negotiated with local breeder Florian Stumpf and Jim Petrie to buy shareholder shares in a friendly deal which proved most beneficial.

"He was Chairman of ABCOS when we launched the Adelaide Million in 1990 worth $1,500,000 which under the circumstances was a very brave call when relying on entries to fund the race. But Bob was so brave.

"He was a true gentleman."