Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Boer War D.C.M. group of three awarded to Corporal W. Cookney, ‘Pom-Poms’ Royal Horse Artillery

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (88540 Cpl. W. Cookney. R.A.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (88540 Cpl. W. Cookney. R.H.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (88540 Cpl. W. Cookney. R.H.A.) all slightly later issues with small impressed naming, toned, extremely fine (3) £1,000-£1,400

D.C.M. London Gazette 31 October 1902.

M.I.D. London Gazette 29 July 1902.

William Cookney was born in Bermondsey, London, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Woolwich, on 19 January 1892. He transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery the following month, and was advanced to Bombardier in January 1894. He served in India from December 1892 to December 1897, and suffered a ‘wound right cheek (on duty) 8 September 1897’ (Service Papers refer).

Cookney initially served with ‘O’ Battery, Royal Horse Artillery during the Boer War, before transferring to L/L Section Pom-Poms in February 1900. He was advanced to Corporal in May 1900, and returned to the UK in August 1902. He was discharged on 18 January 1904, after 12 years’ service.

Note: The recipient’s original D.C.M. was sold in these rooms in March 2017.