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England: Boer War: Northwich Tribute Medal

England: Boer War: Northwich Tribute MedalEngland: Boer War: Northwich Tribute Medal
Form: Circular. Occasionally with ornate suspension for a blue ribbon.
By: Elkington & Co.
Date: 1901
Ref:  Hern: 784; Hibbard: A 17; Laidlaw: 1219;
Variations:
SizeMetalMassValue
38 cmBronze27.6 gm$300

Edge: Plain.

Obverse: Reeded rim. On the left, trooper standing front with bayoneted carbine. Behind on the right, mounted trooper, right, holding rifle. Grassy ground below. Legend: "22ND. CHESHIRE COMPY. IMPERIAL YEOMANRY & VOLUNTEERS"

Reverse: Reeded rim. Above, Coat of arms of Northwich with lion and dragon supporters and sailing ship crest. Across: "Presented (in shallow arc) / BY THE / TOWN OF NORTHWICH / TO / (engraving) / FOR / MERITORIOUS SERVIce (in shallow arc) / IN / SOUTH AFRICA 1900-1 (in arc)". This medal engraved: "PTE. J.K. COOKE".

Notes: Northwich is a town in Cheshire in the north west of England. The area around the town is known for its salt mines.

Comes inside a fitted black case lined with red silk and maroon velvet. On the inside of the lid: "(crown) / V R / BY APPOINTMENT / ELKINGTON & CO / MANCHESTER".

John Kemp Cooke (1879-1915) joined the local volunteer force in 1898 and served during the Boer War with the 22nd Company of the Cheshire Imperial Yeomanry. At the outset of the First World he was the commanding officer of the Winsford Company of Territorials with the rank of major. He never saw action and died of cancer in 1915.

His father, John Henry Cooke, was awarded the Winsford Tribute Medal (Laidlaw 1220) as a civilian for charitable work. Northwich and Winsford are nine miles apart.