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Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) TH RoL Tr LN (Lt. Col. E. Cooke. Scottish. Rifles.)
KSA (2) (Col. E. Cooke. Scot. Rif.)

Ernest Cooke was born in 1856 and was commissioned into the 26th Foot on 15 July 1876. He served initially with the 1st Battalion,. becoming Captain in 1883 and Major in 1892. He was appointed to the command of the 2nd Battalion in April 1899 and took the Battalion to South Africa, embarking on 28 October 1899. The Battalion formed part of the 4th Brigade in the advance towards the relief of Ladysmith. The 4th Brigade played a supportive role in an attack on Colenso, covering the withdrawal of the 2nd Brigade, commanded by Sir Redvers Buller, who suffered over 1,100 casualties.

The 2nd Scottish Rifles played a vital role in the Battle of Spion Kop on the 23rd and 24th January 1900. Spion Kop was the largest hill in the region, and its capture represented a significant victory over the Boers and a step towards relieving besieged British forces in Ladysmith. Over 1,700 of the defeated British forces were killed or wounded, including 26 dead and 61 wounded from the Scottish Rifles. In his list of commendations, dated 30th March 1900, General Buller noted that Lieutenant Colonel Cooke “commands an admirably trained battalion”; he was again mentioned by Buller in his despatch of 9th November, 1900 (Brevet of Colonel; Queen’s Medal with 4 clasps, King’s Medal with 2 clasps).

He saw his first active service after 23 years with the Army!

Perhaps not the best way to see in your first spell of active service, I dare say it was quite an eye opener!

djb wrote:

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) TH RoL Tr LN (Lt. Col. E. Cooke. Scottish. Rifles.)
KSA (2) (Col. E. Cooke. Scot. Rif.)

Ernest Cooke was born in 1856 and was commissioned into the 26th Foot on 15 July 1876. He served initially with the 1st Battalion,. becoming Captain in 1883 and Major in 1892. He was appointed to the command of the 2nd Battalion in April 1899 and took the Battalion to South Africa, embarking on 28 October 1899. The Battalion formed part of the 4th Brigade in the advance towards the relief of Ladysmith. The 4th Brigade played a supportive role in an attack on Colenso, covering the withdrawal of the 2nd Brigade, commanded by Sir Redvers Buller, who suffered over 1,100 casualties.

The 2nd Scottish Rifles played a vital role in the Battle of Spion Kop on the 23rd and 24th January 1900. Spion Kop was the largest hill in the region, and its capture represented a significant victory over the Boers and a step towards relieving besieged British forces in Ladysmith. Over 1,700 of the defeated British forces were killed or wounded, including 26 dead and 61 wounded from the Scottish Rifles. In his list of commendations, dated 30th March 1900, General Buller noted that Lieutenant Colonel Cooke “commands an admirably trained battalion”; he was again mentioned by Buller in his despatch of 9th November, 1900 (Brevet of Colonel; Queen’s Medal with 4 clasps, King’s Medal with 2 clasps).

He saw his first active service after 23 years with the Army!

I was wondering how his men would have viewed his leadership? With some trepidation perhaps?

Brevet Colonel Cooke retired from the 11th Battalion on 22 Sept 1914.

He was born 1st December 1856 in Eccles, Manchester so 42 at the start of the Boer War.

From my own point of view the blame rests on the shoulders of Sir Reverse, although, no longer Commander in Chief, he did still lead an army and really should have known better, but, he had been promoted way beyond his capability.

LOL, so not all bad then!

djb wrote: Brevet Colonel Cooke retired from the 11th Battalion on 22 Sept 1914.

He was born 1st December 1856 in Eccles, Manchester so 42 at the start of the Boer War.