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. After being promoted Captain on 19 December 1872, Cook transferred to the 5thGurkha Rifles as Wing Commander in 1873. On 24 September 1878, the 5th Gurkha Rifles were warned for active service, and in October proceeded from Abbottabad to Thal, where it joined Sir Frederick Robert's Kurram Valley Field Force. Cook crossed the frontier with his regiment as part of Brigadier-General Thelwall's 2nd Brigade and following the reconnaissance of Peiwar Kotal Pass, won his Victoria Cross on the slopes of the Spingawai Kotal, or White Cow Pass. Captain Cook led repeated charges against enemy barricades with a joint force of 5th Gurkhas and 72nd Highlanders. At dawn, as the Afghans fled their positions, Cook collected a few men and charged and killed a large number of enemy who were trying to rescue one of their guns before going to the aide of Major Galbraith. Cook's helmet was pierced by an enemy bullet.
Gallantry recognized
Just days after the action, Major Galbraith wrote to General Roberts a report dated 'Camp near Zabbardast Kila, 5 December 1878:
Victoria Cross
He was 35 years old, and a captain in the Bengal Staff Corps, British Indian Army, and 5th Gurkha Rifles during the Second Anglo-Afghan War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC: He was promoted to the rank of major on 22 November 1879, a fact announced on 16 January 1880.
Death in action
Attached to MacPherson's Brigade on 11 December 1879, Cook participated in the attempted to attack the Afghans in the rear at Argundeh, but they were forced to fall back towards Sherpur faced by overwhelming numbers. Late in the day Cook distinguished himself in the rearguard action which saved the brigade's baggage. He fought a determined throng of Afghans shoulder to shoulder with his brother and resorted to a bayonet charge which was led by Major John Cook VC, 5th Gurkha Regiment and Lieutenant Walter Cook, 3rd Sikhs which forced the Afghans to withdraw. Unfortunately Walter Cook was shot in the chest and was carried to the Sherpur Cantonment and John Cook received a head wound. On 12 December 1879, John Cook was still able to take part in the attack next day on the That-i-Shah peak, which dominated the high ground around Kabul. During this action Major Cook received a fatal wound, being struck by a bullet that passed through the bone of his left leg below the knee. After spending the night on the hill in the open he was taken to the hospital at the besieged Sherpur, Afghanistan, but died of wounds on 19 December 1879. 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.
Afghanistan Medal with clasps "Peiwar Kotal", "Charisia" and "Kabul"
Medals sold
The Victoria Cross and campaign medals awarded to Captain John Cook were sold on 17 September 2004, by the London auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb for £82,000. It was purchased for the Michael Ashcroft Trust, the holding institution for Lord Ashcroft's VC Collection.
