John Cook (VC)
| John Cook | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
28 August 1843 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 19 December 1879 (aged 36) Sherpur, Afghanistan |
| Buried | Sherpur Cantonment Cemetery, Kabul |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Indian Army
|
| Unit | Bengal Staff Corps / 5th Gurkha Rifles |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Wikipedia