Robert Craig COOPER [????- ]

Capt T/Major 10/6^th Rajputana Rifles

“This officer joined the BAAG in August 1943 and a few months later he was sent to take over command of Advanced HQ at Waichow.

This was a position of great responsibility for it was from here that most of the intelligence groups working in enemy territory and the whole of the escape and evasion network were controlled.  It was an area of intense political intrigue and this coupled the responsibility of the O.C. who in addition to his onerous duties, had to steer his command through many pitfalls, any one of which might have spelled disaster.

Despite these difficulties, Major Cooper, by his untiring energy and example, maintained the high standard of efficiency and attainment set by this predecessors at AHQ.  This efficiency was tested to the full in 1945 when large enemy troop movements caused the evacuation of Waichow.  All the stores and archives and large numbers of staff and Hongkong families were evacuated without loss.   The success of this operation was almost entirely due to Major Cooper’s untiring energy and conscientious devotion to duty.”  (signed) L T Ride, Colonel