David Cooper (chaplain)
Encyclopedia
The Reverend David Cooper (born 1944) was the Army Chaplain
(or "Padre") attached to the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
(2 PARA) during the Falklands War
of 1982. He was filmed for television news on 30 May 1982 officiating at the moving field burial service for the 18 Paras who were killed in the Battle of Goose Green
, including Lt. Col.'H' Jones
. During that service he used the expression "Think on", which became something of a catchphrase for him with the media. Cooper was also an army champion shot at Bisley
. He ministered to the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment during the Falklands War and during its tours in Northern Ireland
.
in 1982 when the battalion, with 3 PARA, was attached to 3 Commando Brigade
to bring that unit to full wartime strength. During the Battle of Goose Green he was attached to the Regimental Aid Post
, comforting the wounded, and assisting in the organisation of their evacuation. Following the battle he conducted a field burial service, film of which was later shown on television news programmes. He was also present when the battalion was shaken by an ammunition explosion in the aftermath of Goose Green, and during the Battle of Wireless Ridge
. At the conclusion of the campaign he was recommended for a Military Cross
by the new CO of 2 PARA, Lt-Col David Chaundler; this was endorsed by the brigade commander, Brigadier
Julian Thompson
who "Very Strongly Recommended" the award, and the divisional commander, Major General Jeremy Moore
, who "Strongly Recommended" it; but Lieutenant General Sir Richard Trant downgraded the award, instead "Very Strongly Recommend[ing]" a Mention in Despatches, and this was endorsed in similar terms by Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse. Chaundler's recommendation closed with the words "The Battalion owes an enormous debt of gratitude to a selfless, dedicated and courageous man who lives up to the very highest traditions of his calling." The Mention was gazetted
on 8 October 1982.
at Eton College
, which was later attended by Princes William and Harry
. On 17 January 1990 he took a Territorial Army commission, reverting to Chaplain to the Forces, Fourth Class, and on 8 October 1994 he became a lieutenant
in Eton College Combined Cadet Force
detachment. He was promoted back to Chaplain to the Forces, Third Class in the TA on 15 March 1995. He was awarded the Cadet Forces Medal on 16 June 1999, by which time he held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the CCF. He retired as a TA chaplain on 30 June 1999. In 2002 it was reported in the media that the Royal Military Police
had seized weapons during a raid on his home in the grounds of the elite school in Berkshire
. Subsequent investigation showed the claims to be malicious in origin and damages were paid by a number of media outlets. At the time officers were investigating alleged financial irregularities at the College, a claim denied by the college's governing body.
, which attempted to compare the ways in which the British Army
, the US Army and the Israeli Defence Force motivate their peacetime soldiery and train their special forces. However, Cooper disagreed with many of the book's conclusions, believing that McManners had been selective in his use of examples and personal experiences in order to support an existing view of the subject rather than to present an objective assessment.
Aegis Defence Services
, a London based, privately owned, British security and risk management company with overseas offices in Afghanistan
, Bahrain
, Iraq
, Kenya
, Nepal
and the US
, appointed Cooper to be head of civil affairs in Iraq on a one year contract. As a chaplain in the British Army, he had seen active service which led to his being a recognised expert and lecturer in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His role in Iraq will be to oversee the civil affair programme AEGIS is running as part of its $300 million contract for the US government to provide a security and co-ordination framework for the reconstruction effort in Iraq.
Royal Army Chaplains' Department
The Royal Army Chaplains' Department is an all-officer corps that provides ordained clergy to minister to the British Army.As of 2007, there are about 280 serving regular chaplains in the British Army; these can belong to either one of several Christian churches, or to the Jewish faith, although...
(or "Padre") attached to the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
The Second Battalion, The Parachute Regiment is a battalion-sized formation of the British Army's Parachute Regiment and subordinate unit within 16th Air Assault Brigade whose Commanding Officer was Lieutenant Colonel Joseph O'Sullivan....
(2 PARA) during the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
of 1982. He was filmed for television news on 30 May 1982 officiating at the moving field burial service for the 18 Paras who were killed in the Battle of Goose Green
Battle of Goose Green
The Battle of Goose Green was an engagement of the Falklands War between British and Argentine forces. Goose Green and its neighbour Darwin are settlements on East Falkland in the Falkland Islands. They lie on Choiseul Sound on the east side of the island's central isthmus...
, including Lt. Col.'H' Jones
H. Jones
Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Jones VC OBE, , known as H. Jones, was a British army officer and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross...
. During that service he used the expression "Think on", which became something of a catchphrase for him with the media. Cooper was also an army champion shot at Bisley
National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom
The National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom is the governing body of full bore rifle and pistol shooting sports in the United Kingdom.- History :...
. He ministered to the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment during the Falklands War and during its tours in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Regular army service
Cooper was commissioned on a short service commission as a Chaplain to the Forces, Fourth Class, on 20 March 1973. On 20 March 1979 he switched to a full commission and was promoted to Chaplain to the Forces, Third Class. He was appointed chaplain to 2 PARA in late 1980, and so accompanied the battalion to the Falkland IslandsFalkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
in 1982 when the battalion, with 3 PARA, was attached to 3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
to bring that unit to full wartime strength. During the Battle of Goose Green he was attached to the Regimental Aid Post
Regimental Aid Post
A Regimental Aid Post is the equivalent to the American Battalion Aid Station. In the British Army, Canadian Forces and other Commonwealth militaries, the RAP is a front line military medical establishment incorporated into an infantry battalion or armoured regiment and designed for the immediate...
, comforting the wounded, and assisting in the organisation of their evacuation. Following the battle he conducted a field burial service, film of which was later shown on television news programmes. He was also present when the battalion was shaken by an ammunition explosion in the aftermath of Goose Green, and during the Battle of Wireless Ridge
Battle of Wireless Ridge
The Battle of Wireless Ridge was an engagement of the Falklands War which took place on the night of 13 June and 14 June 1982, between British and Argentine forces during the advance towards the Argentine-occupied capital of the Falklands Stanley. Wireless Ridge was one of seven strategic hills...
. At the conclusion of the campaign he was recommended for a Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
by the new CO of 2 PARA, Lt-Col David Chaundler; this was endorsed by the brigade commander, Brigadier
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
Julian Thompson
Julian Thompson
Major General Julian Howard Atherden Thompson, CB, OBE is a military historian and former Royal Marines officer who, as a brigadier, commanded 3 Commando Brigade during the Falklands War.-Military career:...
who "Very Strongly Recommended" the award, and the divisional commander, Major General Jeremy Moore
Jeremy Moore
Major General Sir John Jeremy Moore KCB, OBE, MC & Bar was the commander of the British land forces during the Falklands War in 1982. Moore received the surrender of the Argentine forces on the islands.-Military career:...
, who "Strongly Recommended" it; but Lieutenant General Sir Richard Trant downgraded the award, instead "Very Strongly Recommend[ing]" a Mention in Despatches, and this was endorsed in similar terms by Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse. Chaundler's recommendation closed with the words "The Battalion owes an enormous debt of gratitude to a selfless, dedicated and courageous man who lives up to the very highest traditions of his calling." The Mention was gazetted
London Gazette
The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the United Kingdom, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published...
on 8 October 1982.
Eton College
Cooper retired from the regular army on 29 September 1984, and became a chaplainChaplain
Traditionally, a chaplain is a minister in a specialized setting such as a priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam or lay representative of a religion attached to a secular institution such as a hospital, prison, military unit, police department, university, or private chapel...
at Eton College
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
, which was later attended by Princes William and Harry
Prince Harry of Wales
Prince Henry of Wales , commonly known as Prince Harry, is the younger son of Charles, Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and fourth grandchild of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
. On 17 January 1990 he took a Territorial Army commission, reverting to Chaplain to the Forces, Fourth Class, and on 8 October 1994 he became a lieutenant
First Lieutenant
First lieutenant is a military rank and, in some forces, an appointment.The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations , but the majority of cases it is common for it to be sub-divided into a senior and junior rank...
in Eton College Combined Cadet Force
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a Ministry of Defence sponsored youth organisation in the United Kingdom. Its aim is to "provide a disciplined organisation in a school so that pupils may develop powers of leadership by means of training to promote the qualities of responsibility, self reliance,...
detachment. He was promoted back to Chaplain to the Forces, Third Class in the TA on 15 March 1995. He was awarded the Cadet Forces Medal on 16 June 1999, by which time he held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the CCF. He retired as a TA chaplain on 30 June 1999. In 2002 it was reported in the media that the Royal Military Police
Royal Military Police
The Royal Military Police is the corps of the British Army responsible for the policing of service personnel, and for providing a military police presence both in the UK, and whilst service personnel are deployed overseas on operations and exercises.Members of the RMP are generally known as...
had seized weapons during a raid on his home in the grounds of the elite school in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. Subsequent investigation showed the claims to be malicious in origin and damages were paid by a number of media outlets. At the time officers were investigating alleged financial irregularities at the College, a claim denied by the college's governing body.
Recent career
Cooper was a major contributor to the 1994 book The Scars of War by Hugh McMannersHugh McManners
Joseph Hugh McManners is a British author, television producer and presenter, journalist, and musician, and songwriter.He was born into an academic family in Oxford, the son of historian The Rev. Professor John McManners, and was brought up in Australia...
, which attempted to compare the ways in which the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, the US Army and the Israeli Defence Force motivate their peacetime soldiery and train their special forces. However, Cooper disagreed with many of the book's conclusions, believing that McManners had been selective in his use of examples and personal experiences in order to support an existing view of the subject rather than to present an objective assessment.
Aegis Defence Services
Aegis Defence Services
Aegis Defence Services is a British private military company with overseas offices in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kenya, Nepal and the United States. It was founded in 2004 by Tim Spicer, who was previously director of the controversial company Sandline International.Aegis provides security and...
, a London based, privately owned, British security and risk management company with overseas offices in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
, Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
and the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, appointed Cooper to be head of civil affairs in Iraq on a one year contract. As a chaplain in the British Army, he had seen active service which led to his being a recognised expert and lecturer in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). His role in Iraq will be to oversee the civil affair programme AEGIS is running as part of its $300 million contract for the US government to provide a security and co-ordination framework for the reconstruction effort in Iraq.