Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of five awarded to Second Lieutenant R. J. Cook, 1st/7th Battalion, London Regiment, late Army Service Corps, who served with the City Imperial Volunteers in South Africa during the Boer War and received a Hammersmith Boer War Tribute Medal

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (56 Pte. R. J. Cook. C.I.V.); 1914 Star (TS-2048 Pte. R. J. Cook. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. J. Cook) the BWM named ‘upside down’, mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, the 1914 Star with clasp, these also mounted as worn; and a Hammersmith Boer War Tribute Medal, bronze, the obverse engraved ‘Hammersmith is Grateful & Proud of You’ within laurel wreath, the reverse plain, the edge engraved ‘Pte. R. J. Cook. Reg. No. 56 B Co. C.I.V.’, with top ‘South Africa’ riband bar, in J. F. Hone, Hammersmith case, generally good very fine, the last rare (6) £1,400-£1,800

Hammersmith Boer War Tribute Medal referenced in Hibbard, A13.

M.C. London Gazette 16 August 1917:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Having led his company with great courage and secured his objective, he went forward to assist another company which had been checked, and enabled them to capture their own objective. He showed great initiative, and, although slightly wounded, carried on with the consolidation, setting an excellent example to his men.’

Robert John Cook, a dyer by occupation, was born in 1878 and joined the 3rd City of London Rifle Volunteers in 1896. He served in the Infantry Battalion of the City Imperial Volunteers in South Africa during the Boer War, and had two letters published in the City Press, the first on 23 May 1900, regarding spending his pay on food; and the second on 31 October 1900, regarding the celebrations for Lord Roberts’ birthday.

Enlisting in the Army Service Corps, Cook served with the 1st Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 August 1914, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the London Regiment on 27 January 1916. Awarded the Military Cross whilst serving with the 1st/7th Battalion, he relinquished his commission following the cessation of hostilities, and was awarded a Silver War Badge.