- Other Entry
- SURNAME
Cooper
- FORENAME
John Murdoch
- UNIT
L Detachment SAS + 1 SAS (HQ Squadron + A Squadron)
- RANK
Lance Sergeant + T/Captain
- NUMBER
2698113 + 303854
- AWARD
Distinguished Conduct Medal, Mention in Despatches
- PLACE
North Africa 1942 (DCM) NW Europe 1944-45 (MiD)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit 2 Bn Scots Guards (ranks)
parent unit 6 Bn Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) (officer)
born 6.6.1922 Leicester
resided Bradford, Yorkshire
educated Wyggeston Grammar School
apprentice with Messrs Vickers and Wheelers, Bradford
enlisted 2.4.1940 Caterham
Sots Guards (Guards Depot)
8 Commando (3 Troop) 1940
2 Bn Scots Guards April 1941
L Detachment SAS 1941-42 (Pte - L/Sgt)
1 SAS (A Squadron + HQ) 1942-43 (Sgt)
Middle East O.C.T.U. 1943
1 SAS (HQ + A Squadrons) 1944-45 (2Lt - Cap)
Depot Parachute Regiment 1946-47
Territorial Army (Lt) 1947
22 SAS
died 12.7.2002 (Aged 80)
Buried St. Mary The Virgin, Moreton, Essex, England
CITATION:
Distinguished Conduct Medal : Feb 1942 On returning from the 2nd raid against Buerat aerodrome the raiding party was ambushed by a strong and well-armed enemy force. This force was aligned along the road in an ideal position to throw grenades and to open fire with automatic weapons.
The ambush was a complete surprise but so quick was Sgt Cooper in getting his gun into action and so accurate was his aim in the face of intense fire from the automatic weapons of the enemy that the ambushers were seriously disconcerted. At least five of them were killed at point blank range by his fire. His quickness and courage on this occasion undoubtedly saved his companions. This NCO has taken part in 13 raids and performed many acts of gallantry comparable to the one described.
The ambush was a complete surprise but so quick was Sgt Cooper in getting his gun into action and so accurate was his aim in the face of intense fire from the automatic weapons of the enemy that the ambushers were seriously disconcerted. At least five of them were killed at point blank range by his fire. His quickness and courage on this occasion undoubtedly saved his companions. This NCO has taken part in 13 raids and performed many acts of gallantry comparable to the one described.
FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130255624/john-murdoch-cooperNATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369573
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