future event Johnny Cooper S.A.S, One of the Originals, A Talk in Moreton, Essex

[horrocks]

May be of interest to the many members in Essex, on Thursday 13th November Graeme Cooper, a retired career Royal Green Jacket, a founder member of the Guild of Battlefield Tour Guides, and John Cooper's son, will be giving an illustrated talk on his father's career in the wartime S.A.S, and his postwar exploits in Malaya and Oman. Johnny Cooper started out as David Stirling's driver, taking part in most of the famous operations in North Africa as well as Operation Houndsworth in France during the summer of 1944. In 1945 he took part in the liberation of Belsen. When the S.A.S was reformed he rejoined his old comrades in anti-guerilla operations in Malaya, then on the Jebhel Ahkdar in the Oman, and in the 'secret war' in the Yemen. He left the S.A.S as a Lt Colonel, and saw out his career working for the Sultan of Oman.

 

Graeme has amassed a large number of photographs, many unpublished, as well as recently rediscovered tapes that Johnny made after his retirement. Last year he presented a variation on this talk to friends and neighbours in the village in two packed-out sessions over two evenings, as well as to the Special Forces Club in London, and he is now opening it out to a wider audience.

 

The presentation is to be made in Moreton, where John met and married Graeme's mother, Constance, and where they both lie at rest today in the village churchyard.

 

Tickets are available from Alison Cooper alison_cooper@outlook.com at £10 each, with proceeds to Help for Heroes. The event will take place in Moreton Village Hall from 19:30 hours on Thursday 13th November 2014.