Death of Bill Cooper ex RSM and Quatermaster - THIS BOARD IS NOW FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY. CLICK ON RGJ ASSOCIATION TO RETURN TO NEW IN MEMORIAM FORUM.

Date: Jun 19, 2007

Death of Bill Cooper ex RSM and Quatermaster

Date: Jun 26, 2007

I MET "UNCLE" BILL COOPER ONLY ONCE. IT WAS MY FIRST DAY WITH THE BATTALLION IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO EMBARKING FOR WUPPERTAL. IT WAS TIDWORTH (1958) AND OF COURSE IT IT WAS POURING RAIN. I NIPPED INTO A DOORWAY IN AN ATTEMPT TO STAY DRY. IT SO HAPPENED THAT I WAS STILL WEARING A RIFLE BRIGADE CAP BADGE ALTHOUGH WE WERE NOW "GREEN JACKETS". A FIGURE NIPPED INTO THE DOORWAY OPPOSITE ME. HE WAS WEARING A WHITE TRENCHCOAT WITH NO BADGES OF RANK, A FORAGE CAP AND HE CARRIED A REGIMENTAL CANE. I COULDN'T TELL IF HE WAS AN OFFICER OR A WARRANT OFFICER. I CONSIDERED THAT THE BIGGER SIN WOULD BE TO SALUTE A W.O. SO I RESPECTFULLY CAME TO ATTENTION AND BADE HIM GOOD MORNING.
'WHO ARE YOU'?
'RIFLEMAN McMULLAN, SIR'
'I LIKE YOUR CAP BADGE, BUT WHY ARE YOU WEARING IT AND NOT THE NEW ONE?
'I'VE BEEN ON A POSTING SIR, AND DIDN'T GET ISSUED. I'VE JUST BEEN TO THE QUARTERMASTER'S AND HE SAID THAT ALL THE NEW BADGES ARE PACKED AND I WOULD HAVE TO WEAR THE R.B. BADGE UNTIL ARRIVAL IN WUPPERTAL'
'DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?'
'NO SIR'.
'I'M YER UNCLE BILL'. HE STEPPED OUT INTO THE POURING RAIN AND MARCHED SMARTLY OFF.
I NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN.

Date: Jan 2, 2012

I was an Electricains mate working in Tidworth barracks, our base being a small room at the back of Assay barracks guard room. The KRRC were stationed there at the time. I used to have runnins with the RP's due to the fact I wore Battle Dress for work. I met RSM Cooper (and his beautiful daughter), he was a gentleman and had a profound effect on my future life. I learn't from him that you didn't have to holler and shout to get things done. As an RSM he was years ahead of his time, I never heard him shout (other than on the parade ground). One day we were talking and a squadie from the RAOC came up the road on a push bike. He was not wearing a beret, RSM Cooper stopped him and asked in a nice way who he was. The squadie spoke back with no respect. In the nicest possible way he told the squadie to push his bike to his (KRRC) guard room and to ask the RP sergeant to lock him in the cells (which he did!). He looked after his soldiers and I think most of his soldiers loved him and would follow him to the ends of the earth (even I would have done!). At that time the longest serving National Service man was in the KRRC (he was a champion heavy weight boxer and had spent so much time in the "nick" it was added to his service time. The Black Watch were stationed in Tidworth at that time and there were many incidents involving the KRRC and the Black Watch. I can remember RSM Cooper being involved in one incident, perhaps some of the old soldiers will remember this, I do hope so.

I was there when the amalgamation occured. The KRRC (Kings Rock and Roll Club) were not pleased.

I pass my deepest respect to his family and to the beautiful daughter who I met all those years ago. It was with great sadness that I heard of his passing.