Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 11, 1918

Thurnscoe Military Medal

Private John Alfred Cooke
York and Lancaster

Private Cooke, Chapel St, Thurnscoe has been awarded the military Medal for gallantry and devotion to duty, displayed in the following circumstances:

“Private Cooke was one of a fighting patrol of 20 men. When near to the enemy line Private Cooke, with four others, went forward with the officer in charge of the patrol, in order to capture a prisoner.

After about two hours the enemy post were located and two sentries were selected for attack. The patrol crawled cautiously forward and succeeded in getting right behind the two enemy sentries. On a word from the officer, the five men rushed the post, and after a short and sharp fight in which the enemy fired several shots and then tried to bayonet the party, the two sentries were captured, and although heavily fired on the patrol brought the two prisoners back to our lines.”

Private Cooke is at present in Italy, and was recently home on leave.

He has been serving abroad since October 1915