William John “Bill” Cumper MC, MiD.

(Royal Engineers attached to L Detachment, SAS) was a British Army Royal Engineers officer who served as an explosives and demolitions specialist with L Detachment / 1st Special Air Service Regiment in the North African and Mediterranean theatres during World War II. He was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service.

Born: In Hawick, Scotland (exact birth date not in sources)
Service: Officer in the Royal Engineers, attached to ‘L’ Detachment, Special Air Service during WWII.

Military Career & SAS Service
He enlisted in the British Army as a boy soldier in 1924. By 1939 he was serving as a Lance Sergeant in No. 1 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers. In May 1941 he received an Emergency Commission as a lieutenant and was posted to Egypt and the Western Desert.
Posted to L Detachment SAS in May 1942 as an explosives specialist and canoe expert.
He became well-known within the unit for his personality and unconventional behaviour.
He was Mentioned in Dispatches in late 1941. He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for bravery, including during SAS raids such as the Benghazi raid (Operation Bigamy).

Medal Citation (Military Cross)
London Gazette, 14 October 1943:

“For gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East with the Special Air Service Brigade. Lieutenant Cumper’s cheerfulness, initiative, and complete disregard for personal safety in clearing paths through enemy minefields and obstacles during Operation Bigamy was instrumental in the success of the raid. His conduct throughout has been exemplary.”

Mentioned in Dispatches:

London Gazette, 30 December 1941: Recognized for meritorious service in the Middle East.
He served with L Detachment SAS in the Western Desert under David Stirling.
Later records list him with 1st SAS, Special Raiding Squadron, and Special Boat Squadron in 1943-44.
Post-War Life & Death
After the war, he emigrated to Rhodesia with his wife. He suffered a stroke and paralysis, and died in December 1954 after being refused proper medical care in hospital — a tragic end.
He left behind a wife and son.