Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Acting Sergeant Major J. Cooke, né Roberts, Military Mounted Police

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (367 Sjt: J. Cooke.. M.M.P.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (Corpl: J. Cooke. Mil: Mtd: Police) surname un-officially corrected; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (367 Corpl: J. Cooke. Mil: Mtd: Police); 1914-15 Star (367 Sjt. J. Cooke. M.M.P.); British War and Victory Medals (367 Sjt. J. Cooke. M.M.P.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (367 Sjt. J. Cooke. M.M.P.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (367 Sjt. -A.S. Mjr- J. Cooke. D.C.M. M.M.P.) light contact marks to Boer War awards, generally very fine and better (8) £1,800-£2,200

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917; citation published 13 February 1917:
‘For conspicuous devotion to duty. He has performed consistent good work throughout, and has at all times set a splendid example.’

M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

James Cooke was born in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on 2 December 1867, with the surname Roberts, and attested for the 17th (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Lancers on 27 November 1888. On 18 June 1889 he was arrested and charged with false enlistment, presumably for using an alias. Found guilty, he was imprisoned for 14 days and had his previous service forfeited. Notwithstanding his conviction, he transferred to the Military Mounted Police under the name of Roberts on 15 February 1894, and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War from 29 October 1899. On 18 September 1901 he officially changes his name to Cooke (presumably his Queen’s South Africa Medal was originally named to ‘Roberts’). He was promoted Corporal on 1 August 1902, and 1 August 1902, and Sergeant on 18 November 1904, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 101 of 1909 (his conviction set-aside and the forfeiture of his previous service having been restored to him by King’s Regulations). He was discharged on 26 November 1909, after 21 years’ service.

Recalled for Military Service on 7 October 1914, Cooke served with the Military Mounted Police during the Great War on the Western Front from 9 September 1915, being promoted Acting Sergeant Major on 14 October 1916, and was present as the senior Military Policeman during the infamous mutiny at the Bull Ring, Etaples Camp, France in September 1917. For his services during the Great War he was awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, and was finally discharged on 8 October 1919. He died at Bishop Sutton, Alresford, Hampshire, on 8 December 1952.

Sold together with various photographic images, and an extensive file of copied research.