- SURNAME
Cooper
- FORENAME
Richard Alec
- UNIT
D Squadron + B Squadron (6 Troop)
- RANK
A/Corporal + Sergeant
- NUMBER
22562759
- AWARD
Mention in Despatches (twice)
- PLACE
Oman 1958-59 Borneo 1965-66
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Suffolk Regiment
born October 1933 Ipswich,Suffolk
Suffolk Regiment July 1951
22 SAS April 1955 - June 1970
served A Squadron (4 Troop) and 21 SAS also
Australian SAS Regiment (Trooper) August 1972 - February 1973
mercenary 1978
security officer
Oman MID was originally recommended for Military Medal
CITATION:
Mention in Despatches : Corporal Cooper was commanding a section in 'A' Squadron 22 S.A.S. which had been ordered to seize and hold the feature known as the Aqbat Al Dhafar during the night 23/24th January. The feature was an extremely strong one at a height of nearly 8,000 feet with precipitous 3,000 feet cliffs on either side. Only three narrow tracks led to the summit nearly 200 feet above.
He soon came under heavy and accurate fire and his bren gunner was wounded nearby. Undeterred, showing a coolness and complete disregard for personal safety, he brought heavy fire to bear on the enemy whilst the wounded man was extracted. In the close fighting which followed in clearing the ridge of the feature, he was always in the forefront, encouraging his section, and bringing really accurate fire to bear on the enemy.
He soon came under heavy and accurate fire and his bren gunner was wounded nearby. Undeterred, showing a coolness and complete disregard for personal safety, he brought heavy fire to bear on the enemy whilst the wounded man was extracted. In the close fighting which followed in clearing the ridge of the feature, he was always in the forefront, encouraging his section, and bringing really accurate fire to bear on the enemy.
NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7399706
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