Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Boer War D.C.M. awarded to Corporal W. Cookney, Poms-Poms, Royal Artillery

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (88540 Corpl: W. Cookney. R.A.) lacquered, good very fine £800-1000

Provenance: Spink, September 1980; Christie’s, April 1984.

D.C.M. London Gazette 31 October 1902.

M.I.D. London Gazette 29 July 1902.

William Cookney was born in Bermondsey, London, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Woolwich, in January 1892. He transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery the following month, and advanced to Bombardier in January 1894. He served in India, December 1892 - December 1897, and suffered a ‘wound right cheek (on duty) 8.9.97’ (Service Papers refer).

Cookney initially served with ‘O’ Battery, Royal Horse Artillery during the Second Boer War, before transferring to L/L Section Pom-Poms in February 1900. He advanced to Corporal in May 1900, and returned to the UK in August 1902 (entitled to Q.S.A. with ‘Cape Colony’, ‘Orange Free State’ and ‘Transvaal’ clasps, and K.S.A. with two clasps). He was discharged on 18 January 1904, having served for 12 years.