The news of Major Derek Cooper's death shocked us at Medical Aid for Palestinians. Even though he was well into his nineties, it seemed only yesterday when Derek - along with his wife, Pamela - was in the siege of Beirut.  In 1982, the Coopers were then with the international aid relief teams on the ground at a time when Israeli warplanes were flying overhead dropping their deadly bombs over Lebanon. They never seemed intimidated by the air raids; their care and concern for the wounded and displaced victims were only matched by their defiance and anger against the invasion.  Of course being a newcomer to the Middle East Conflict at that time, I immediately hero-worshipped them.  Somehow I refused to believe they were in their seventies, so devoted and energetic were they.  Even though I knew nothing about their track record at that time, I knew they were very special people the moment we met.

The 1982 invasion of Lebanon was followed by the Sabra-Shatilla massacre of over 3,000 Palestinians in September that year.  When some of us returned to London, we helped set up Medical aid for Palestinians and Major Cooper was the obvious choice as our first Chairman and Pamela as fellow board member.  After a few years, he opted to be President to enable others to take over.

In those days, the Palestinian issue was extremely unfashionable.  We could not call the charity Medical Aid for Palestine but content ourselves with Medical Aid for Palestinians given Palestine was not a political reality but Palestinians were clearly in existence.  Having to learn to tread carefully to avoid charges of political bias made us adept at navigating through enormous hostility.  The Coopers' leadership and guidance enabled us to survive and grow.  Two decades later, a lot of the goalposts have shifted and the public appear to be more aware.

The world would remember Major Cooper as the distinguished and decorated soldier, and the personal friend of  kings and presidents all over the Middle East.  I remember him as the longsuffering Chairman/ President that could be rung all hours of the day (and night) in  crises.  Every time there was an emergency and disaster the Coopers were there. Derek and Pamela had a special desk placed right in the middle of the MAP office with a telephone and from this they would co-ordinate MAP's disaster relief work, linking British supporters with Palestinian beneficiary organisations with the office. His military experience brought precision and discipline while his enormous network of contacts made it possible for MAP to deliver aid to remote refugee camps scattered all over the Middle East. Always calm, soft spoken and good humoured they were wonderful senior persons to work with.

I remember one occasion when Derek and Pamela were travelling with the MAP medical team to the refugee camps in Beirut.  This was at the height of the 1987 Siege of the Camps.  Pauline Cutting, Suzy Wighton, Ben Alofs and an Austrian physiotherapist were held under siege in Burj-el-Brajneh Camp along with tens of thousands of Palestinian refugees. We were stuck in Cyprus waiting for our visas to Lebanon.  Finally the entire medical team was given Lebanese visas but mine was delayed.  I had also learned that my close friend in Shatilla camp was murdered on her way to South Lebanon.  I was therefore devastated.  Pamela gave me a drink and Derek then told me that as an old soldier he would like to give me a present.  He took out from his suitcase an old Palestinian kafieh.  "This is from the battle of Karameh - I want you to keep it".  Major Cooper was in the 1968 legendary  battle of Karameh, Jordan.

On another occasion, the Coopers were leading a MAP delegation to Jordan.  We were paying our respects to His Royal Highness Prince Hassan at the Jordanian Palace. I was amazed at the ease with which they spoke to Royalty. That afternoon we visited the home of a Palestinian refugee in Beddawi Camp.  Pamela had by then covered her hair with a white long scarf worn by Palestinian ladies, and together with Derek sat on the rough floor of the tiny refugee home again with great ease. They were well loved.

Now both Derek and Pamela Cooper had passed on. Despite MAP having grown up we feel orphaned.

Both Pam and Derek have written about their life experiences.  "For Love of Justice- the life of a Quixotic soldier" by John Baynes (Quartet Books) is a biography of Derek and retells his involvement with MAP.

- by Dr Swee Ang

The Times obituary for Major Derek Cooper can be found here.