Description
Distinguished Service Medal, GV, E.S.1776 Harold Cooke, Engineman, Royal Naval Reserve, HMT Bona Dea, for Minesweeping 1916.
Officially impressed: E.S. 1776 H. Cooke, Engn R.N.R. “Bona Dea” Minesweeping 1916
Award announced in the London Gazette, 1st January 1917: “DSM in Connection with Minesweeping Operations during 1916”
Earned the 1914-15 Star Trio, this was issued to his Widow Ethel in Hull after his death.
Medal in excellent condition, Harold did not survive the war, near the end of it he died in Royal Naval Hospital Haslar on 21st October 1918 from Bronchial pneumonia.
Before his death he had been rated as Chief Engineman on 1st June 1918.
HMT Bona Dea, was originally built in 1915, it was a Steel Screw Steamer, intended to become a Fishing Vessel Trawler, being built by the Equitably Steam Fishing Company in Grimsby.
With the outbreak of the war, the ship had only just been registered ready for sea on 19th January, when in February of 1915 it was requisitioned by the Admiralty for wartime service. Instead of trawling for Fish, she would now be trawling for Mines, being armed with one 12 Pounder Gun.
Harold was born in Hull, Yorkshire on 7th April 1890.
The son of Frederick and Charlotte.
He was quite tall for his day, when he signed on with the RNR he stood at a commanding 6 Feet tall.
Enrolled into the RNR on 26th January 1915.
Being mobilised at his local port in Grimsby, he would join the Trawler Bona Dea, which was finishing being built and launched at the time he joined the RNR.
After his death is family put out the following in the Hull Daily Mail on 21st October 1919, the anniversary of his death, his wife, siblings and parents all making separate memorials:
“COOKE – In loving memory of my dear husband Harold Cooke, who died at Haslar Hospital Oct 21st 1918
One year has passed since that sad day,
When one I loved was called away.
But God, who gavest, thought it best
TO take him to eternal rest.
– From his sorrowing Wife and Children.
In loving memory of Harold, beloved son of Mr and Mrs Cooke, 44 Cogan Street, Hull, who died on Oct 21st 1918.
One of the best whom God could lend,
A loving son, a faithful friend.
– From his loving Mother and Father.
In loving memory of our dear brother, Harold, died October 21st, 1918.
How much we loved him God only knows,
And he loved us too.
– From Jinnie, Aggie and Lydia, and Dolly and Ronald.
In Loving memory of our dear brother, Harold Cooke, D.S.M., who died in Haslar Naval Hospital Oct 21st 1918.
He lived with us in memory,
And will for evermore.
-From Bob and Grace.”
