Major John Cook VC (28 August 1843 – 19 December 1879) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. An officer of the Bengal Staff Corps who transferred to the 5th Gurkha Rifles, Cook was a veteran of the Umbeyla Campaign who received the VC posthumously for his actions during the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

Early life

Born in Edinburgh, Cook was educated at Edinburgh Academy before attending the Scottish Naval and Military Academy in Edinburgh from 1856 to 1858, Dr Greig's School in London from 1858 to 1859, and finally the Royal India Military College at Addiscombe from 1859 to 1860.

Military career

Cook sailed to India in late 1861 at the age of eighteen, joining the British Indian Army, Bengal Staff Corps as an ensign before being promoted lieutenant on 29 March 1862, and soon after his arrival was posted to the 3rd Sikh Infantry.

thumb|3rd Sikh Infantry at Kabul, 1879.|350px

He was mentioned in despatches for his services in the Umbeyla Campaign in 1863, and also distinguished himself while serving as adjutant of his regiment in the Black Mountain campaign, Hazara Expedition of 1868 on the North West Frontier.

After being promoted captain on 19 December 1872, Cook transferred to the 5th Gurkha Rifles as wing commander in 1873.

Gallantry recognized

Just days after the action, Major Galbraith wrote to General Roberts a report dated 'Camp near Zabbardast Kila, 5 December 1878:

He was promoted to the brevet rank of major on 22 November 1879 in recognition of his services during the Afghan Campaign.

Death in action

Cook was attached to Macpherson's Brigade during the December 1879 Siege of the Sherpur Cantonment at Kabul. On 11 December, Cook participated in the attempt to attack the Afghans in the rear at Argundeh but – faced by overwhelming numbers – they were forced to fall back towards Sherpur. Late in the day, Cook distinguished himself in the rearguard action which saved the brigade's baggage. He fought a determined throng of Afghans, and resorted to a bayonet charge which he led with his brother, Lieutenant Walter Cook, 3rd Sikhs, which forced the Afghans to withdraw. Unfortunately Walter Cook was shot in the chest and was carried wounded to the Sherpur Cantonment and John Cook received a head wound.

On 21 December 1879, Major John Cook was buried in the Sherpur Cantonment British Cemetery, locally known as the 'Gora Kabar' which literally means 'White Graveyard'. He was mentioned in despatches by Frederick Roberts on 23 January 1880.

  • Mentioned in Despatches in May 1880.
  • India General Service Medal (1854–1895) with clasps "North West Frontier" and "Umbeyla"
  • Afghanistan Medal (1878–1880) with clasps "Peiwar Kotal", "Charisia" and "Kabul"

The Victoria Cross and campaign medals awarded to Cook were sold on 17 September 2004 by the London auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb for £82,000. They were purchased for the Michael Ashcroft Trust, the holding institution for Lord Ashcroft's VC collection, which is displayed at the Imperial War Museum in London.

See also

  • List of Brigade of Gurkhas recipients of the Victoria Cross

Notes

Bibliography

Further reading

  • Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
  • The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
  • Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)
  • Burial location of John Cook "Afghanistan"
  • News Item "John Cook's Victoria Cross sold at auction"
  • Memorial to Major J Cook VC