Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Warrant Officer Class 2 E. Cook, Royal Fusiliers

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (5111 Cpl., 2nd Rl. Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5111 Serjt., Rl. Fusiliers); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5111 C. Sjt., R. Fus.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (5111 W.O. Cl. 2, R.F.), mounted as worn, together with a presentation shooting cup, silver, gilt interior, hallmarks for Birmingham 1910, of bowl shape with scallop design, engraved inscription to outer front, ‘Winners of the Prince of Wales Cup, 1909 / Sgt. E. Cook’, the Boer War pair joined by a shared suspension post, light contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine and better (Lot) £400-500

Ernest Cook was born in London and enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers at Hounslow direct from the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in October 1894, aged 18 years. Advanced to Corporal in the 2nd Battalion shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa in 1899, he remained actively employed in that theatre of war until October 1902, in which period he was promoted to Sergeant in late 1901 and qualified for the above described Medals and clasps (copy service record refers). Subsequently employed in the East Indies 1904-07, he returned to the U.K. to take up an appointment in the 6th Battalion in the latter year, and remained continuously employed in that unit until attached to the R.F.C. Cadet Wing at St. Leonard’s-on-Sea in September 1917, a period that witnessed his advancement to Colour Sergeant in August 1910 and to Company Sergeant-Major in September 1914 - and the award of his L.S. & G.C. Medal in AO 117 of 1913. Cook was finally discharged in February 1919, having latterly returned to his duties in the 6th Battalion.