Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.O. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. Cooke, Canadian Forestry Corps, late South African Constabulary and 67th (Western Scots) Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2148 3rd Cl. Tpr. W. F. Cook, S.A.C.), note surname spelling; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. W. F. Cooke), very fine and better (4) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 8 March 1918.

William Forrest Cooke was born at Hull, Wright County, Quebec, on 26 August 1881 and enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Victoria, B.C., in August 1915 - when he stated he had three years prior service in the South African Constabulary (service as a 3rd Class Trooper, from March 1901).

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the same month, he was posted to the 67th Battalion, Canadian Infantry on his arrival in England in early 1916, and was embarked for France that August. Advanced to the temporary rank of Captain two months later, he was mentioned in Haig’s Vimy Ridge despatch (London Gazette 1 June 1917 refers).

Having then briefly transferred to the 54th Battalion in May 1917, he joined H.Q. Canadian Forestry Corps (C.F.C.), gaining a second “mention” (London Gazette 28 December 1917 refers), and advancement to the temporary rank of Major, and, as C.O. of No. 9 District, C.F.C., he added the D.S.O. to his accolades in March 1918.

Embarked for Canada in May 1919, he was demobilised in April 1920, having latterly served in the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel; sold with copied service papers.