David R Coupe | ParaData

David Ray Coupe enlisted into the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in May 1952. He volunteered for airborne forces in early 1953.

Craftsman Coupe undertook jump training on course 354 at RAF Abingdon from 25 April to 22 May 1953. He was posted to 16 Para Light Aid Detachment (LAD) REME, and saw active service in Cyprus and Suez.

From 1960 he served at RAF Old Sarum at the Army Air Transport Training and Development Centre (AATDC) until 1968. He then served with Workshop Squadron, 1 Parachute Logistic Regiment.

Having completed a weapons artificers course, he served with an armoured brigade in Detmold Germany.

He went to Northern Ireland with 2 PARA in 1973 and WO2 Coupe retired in 1975 after serving for almost 23 years.

After leaving the army he worked in Oman and Iran until his death in 1982.

1953
16 Para Light Aid Detachment (LAD) REME
1960
Army Air Transport Training & Development Centre (AATDC)
1968
1 Parachute Logistic Regiment (Warrant Officer Class 2)

Operations

Event

Cyprus (EOKA Campaign)

A continual round of village cordon and search operations, road blocks, curfews, law enforcement and riot control followed. Operations were directed against terrorist enclaves in the Kyrenian and Troodos Mountains and the Paphos Forest.

Event

Jordan

An appeal for assistance from King Hussein saw the Brigade, less the 1st Battalion, flown into Amman to secure the airfield and bolster the King’s authority. They remained until October 29th returning to Cyprus and then England. Rapid action to a trouble spot had averted probable hostilities in

Event

Northern Ireland (Operation Banner)

A brief honeymoon as peace keepers between two warring communities locked in civil unrest descended into a virtual civil war between Republican IRA and Protestant para-military groups during the Northern Ireland ‘Troubles’ that were to last 37 years.

Event

Suez (Operation Musketeer)

French paratroopers with part of the 1st (Guards) Independent Parachute Company were to capture two vital bridges leading south from Port Said and isolate the town.

Decorations

Photos_4

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A USAF Hercules at RAF Old Sarum, c1962.

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Putting up the Combined Services Flag outside 16th Parachute Brigade Headquarters, Jordan, 1958.

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David Coupe on the Drop Zone at Ismalia, Egypt 1953.

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A joint exercise with American Paratroopers on Salisbury Plain, mid 1960s.

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Solo photos_2

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WO2 David Coupe, whilst attached to 3 PARA , Flax Street Mill, Ardoyne, Belfast, 1973.

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Craftsman David Coupe, Fazul Aerodrome Egypt, November 1953.

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Group photos_1

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Members of 16 Para Light Aid Detachment (LAD) REME, Canal Zone, 1954.

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Latest Comments

John Watkins said:

I took this photo of my boss Dave Coupe, in the Armourer’s Sop at Flax St Mill, Ardoyne, Belfast. Just beyond Dave’s left shoulder was my bunk, as L/Cpl Armourer, this was my abode, on more than 1 tour. A great man, I have visited his grave at Aldershot Military Cemetery.

John Watkins.

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Warrant Officer Class 2 David R Coupe

20 Apr 1934 - 01 Jan 1982

Service History