Duncan Percy Hooper

Duncan Percy Hooper, OBE, was a prominent British/Australian journalist and foreign correspondent, most notable for his service as a Reuters war correspondent during World War II and his later leadership of the Australian Associated Press (AAP).

Born in London on 6 February, 1912, Duncan Percy Hooper died in Geelong on November 1, 1990, aged 78. At the time of his death, he was a resident of Point Lonsdale. Wedding photograph of Duncan Hooper and Elsie Finkl, taken in London, January 9th, 1937. Foreign Correspondent - Reuters

Moscow While serving as Reuters’ chief correspondent in Moscow, Duncan Hooper learned on 1 May 1945 that Joseph Goebbels had taken his own life. At a social gathering, a Soviet official approached him and remarked that it was very sad about Doctor Goebbels. Unaware of any such development, Hooper replied cautiously that it was indeed very sad. The official then disclosed the full story, explaining that the entire family had been killed: the children were put to death in the bunker, after which the parents ended their own lives.

With no direct lines of communication available from Berlin, the Americans chose to fly back to Paris in order to file their report. That decision created an unexpected opportunity for Hooper to outpace them. He located a British dispatch rider heading to the airport to catch a flight to Lübeck, the closest communications centre, some 150 miles away.

A large group of tribesmen blocked the road, shouted anti-Nehru slogans, and hurled stones at the convoy, smashing car windows. Nehru’s vehicle, which displayed a Congress flag, became a clear target. Members of the Khyber Rifles escort took up defensive positions, and a brief gun battle followed between the troops and tribesmen. It was unclear who fired first. and later general manager. On March 31st 1977, Duncan Hooper retired as general manager succeeded by Lee Casey then assistant general manager.

Honours He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the queen on 1 January 1968 for his services to journalism. At the time of this honour, he was a resident of Mosman, New South Wales. After his death, he was later recognised for his contribution to Australian journalism with induction into the Australian Media Hall of Fame, administered by the Melbourne Press Club.