Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Private J. Rook, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, taken prisoner at Dundee, 20 October 1899

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Talana, Orange Free State, Transvaal (8046 Corpl: J. Rooke. K.R.R.C.) 1st right-hand rivet loose; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (8046 Pte. J. Rooke. K.R.R.C.); 1914-15 Star (A-1494 Pte. J. Rook. K.R.Rif:C.); British War and Victory Medals (A-1494 Pte., K.R.Rif.C.) minor edge bruising, very fine (5) £360-400

James Rook was born in Langford, Bedfordshire, April 1881. A farm labourer by occupation, he attested at Ilkeston, Derby, May 1893. In May 1897 he was posted to the 1st Battalion K.R.R.C. in South Africa. Serving in the Boer War, Rook was reported missing in action at Dundee, 20 October 1899. Having been taken prisoner, Rook was held until his release in June 1900. In October 1901 he joined the 25th (K.R.R.C.) Mounted Infantry Battalion and served with them until August 1902. In January 1903 he transferred to the Army Reserve and was discharged on 9 May 1905.

Then employed as a collier, Rook re-engaged for service in the Great War at Nottingham, 22 August 1914, aged 40 years and was posted to the 8th Battalion K.R.R.C. With them he served in the B.E.F., 15 May to 29 December 1915. Returning to England, he then served with the 5th Battalion at Sheerness. Then with the 1st Battalion he served once more with the B.E.F., 19 December 1916 to 15 April 1917. In April Rook was transferred to Class ‘W’ Reserve and was discharged on 11 January 1919.