- Other Entry
- SURNAME
Cooper
- FORENAME
John Murdoch
- UNIT
C Squadron + A Squadron (C.O.)
- RANK
Captain (T/Major)
- NUMBER
303854
- AWARD
Member of the British Empire,Mention in Despatches
- PLACE
Malaya 1958 (MBE) Oman 1958-59 (MiD)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 6.6.1922 Leicester
served SAS WW2 (award DCM)
SAS 6.1.1948 - January 1960
21 SAS,Malayan Scouts SAS,22 SAS (B Sq,C Sq,HQ -MTO,B Sq,A Sq)
later Sultan of Oman's Armed Forces (Lt Col)
Malaya 1958 recommended for MC, but awarded MBE
died 12.7.2002
CITATION:
Member of the Order of The British Empire : During the course of Operation "GINGER" between 15 Mr 58 and 28 Jun58, Captain (T/Maj) J.M. COOPER commanded "A" Squadron 22 Special Air Service Regiment with conspicuous skill and success. For fourteen weeks of continuous operations in mountainous jungle Major COOPER's sound judgement, excellent tactical sense, energy, and drive, personal example and inspiration enabled his Squadron to plan an outstanding part in the successes of Operation "GINGER".
Major COOPER's Squadron was credited with three kills, one capture, one wounded and one surrender; this however was only a small part of the role played by his Squadron in defeating and breaking up the terrorist groups in that area.
Operating in the heart of an area of deep jungle surrounded on the fringes by four Infantry battalions Major COOPER's brilliantly conceived and executed patrol programme succeeded in obtaining reconnaissance information of inestimable value to his superior headquarters and the surrounding Infantry whose successes were in considerable measure due to the information coming out of the jungle from the SAS.
Major COOPER, commanding very tired troops towards the latter part of his operation, nevertheless by his personal leadership and encouragement maintained a relentless patrol pressure, which effectively cut the terrorist courier and supply routes and harried the main groups to the extent that they were forced to attempt to break through the cordon of surrounding Infantry, suffering severe losses and disruption in the process.
Place : MALAYA
Date of Action : Between 15 Mar 58 and 1 July 58
How Employed : Squadron Commander
Mention in Despatches : December, 1958 - February, 1959. On the night of the 23rd January, Major Cooper's Squadron was given the task of seizing and holding the Aqbat al Dhafar, a very strong feature held by the rebels, which was nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. He only had two days preparation, most of which was in torrential rain and snow. He successfully made all preparations for the attack which included moving forward his whole Squadron 500 yards by night to a position about 800 yards from the feature. The feature was captured successfully against determined rebel opposition and 6 rebels were killed in the engagement.
Major COOPER's Squadron was credited with three kills, one capture, one wounded and one surrender; this however was only a small part of the role played by his Squadron in defeating and breaking up the terrorist groups in that area.
Operating in the heart of an area of deep jungle surrounded on the fringes by four Infantry battalions Major COOPER's brilliantly conceived and executed patrol programme succeeded in obtaining reconnaissance information of inestimable value to his superior headquarters and the surrounding Infantry whose successes were in considerable measure due to the information coming out of the jungle from the SAS.
Major COOPER, commanding very tired troops towards the latter part of his operation, nevertheless by his personal leadership and encouragement maintained a relentless patrol pressure, which effectively cut the terrorist courier and supply routes and harried the main groups to the extent that they were forced to attempt to break through the cordon of surrounding Infantry, suffering severe losses and disruption in the process.
Place : MALAYA
Date of Action : Between 15 Mar 58 and 1 July 58
How Employed : Squadron Commander
Mention in Despatches : December, 1958 - February, 1959. On the night of the 23rd January, Major Cooper's Squadron was given the task of seizing and holding the Aqbat al Dhafar, a very strong feature held by the rebels, which was nearly 8,000 feet above sea level. He only had two days preparation, most of which was in torrential rain and snow. He successfully made all preparations for the attack which included moving forward his whole Squadron 500 yards by night to a position about 800 yards from the feature. The feature was captured successfully against determined rebel opposition and 6 rebels were killed in the engagement.
WEB LINKS:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7399715 (MiD)https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7622938 (MBE)
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7623151 (MBE)
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