Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Able Seaman G. Cook, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, a veteran of Gallipoli where he was wounded, prior to being decorated for his gallant deeds in Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Division, in late 1916

Military Medal, G.V.R. (KP-664 AB: SMN: G. Cook. Anson Bn: R.N.V.R.) edge nicks, very fine £300-£400

M.M. London Gazette 19 February 1917.

George Cook, a native of Durham, was born on 6 February 1895 and joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as an Ordinary Seaman in September 1914. Drafted to the Royal Naval Division and advanced to Able Seaman, he joined Anson Battalion in Gallipoli and was wounded in early June 1915; entries on his service record refer to gunshot wounds to his chest, back and stomach and he was invalided home to the R.N.H. Haslar.

Cook rejoined Anson Battalion as a bomber at Stavros in early 1916, from whence he was embarked for France in May. And he was awarded his M.M. in a routine order dated 12 December 1916, for services ‘in connection with recent operations north of the Ancre’. Having then remained on active service in the interim, he was admitted to hospital with influenza in July 1918 and was demobilised at Ripon, Yorkshire in February 1919.

However, particulars of his service were forwarded to the O.C. of 174th A.A. Battery, R.A., in Yorkshire in April 1939, so it seems Cook may have served on home defence duties as a gunner in the last war.