George Cooke (British Army officer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir George Cooke
Born	1766
Died	3 February 1837 (age 68-69) Harefield Park, Harefield
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Major General
Battles/wars	French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic Wars
Awards	Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

Sir George Cooke was a brave British Army officer. He was born in 1766 and passed away in 1837. He is best known for leading the 1st Division at the famous Battle of Waterloo. At Waterloo, his division was part of the army led by the Prince of Orange.

Early Life and Education

George Cooke was the son of George John Cooke and Penelope Bowyer. His father was a Member of Parliament for Middlesex. George Cooke had two brothers, Henry Frederick and Edward, and a sister named Penelope Anne.

He went to school at Harrow School and then to a military school in Caen, France. In 1784, when he was about 18, he joined the 10th Grenadier Guards as an ensign. An ensign was a junior officer rank, similar to a second lieutenant today.

Military Career

Cooke quickly moved up the ranks in the army. He became a lieutenant in 1792 and then a captain shortly after. In 1794, he joined the Guards in Flanders. There, he worked as an aide-de-camp, which means he was a personal assistant to a higher-ranking officer, Major General Sir Samuel Hulse.

He fought in the French Revolutionary Wars in Flanders and Holland. During these wars, he was badly wounded in 1799. Despite his injury, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of his regiment.

From 1803 to 1805, he worked as an assistant adjutant-general for the north west district. This role involved helping with the administration and organization of the army. In 1808, he became a colonel. He then took part in the 1809 Walcheren Campaign, which was a difficult military operation.

Later, in 1813, he went to Holland with the Brigade of Guards. He was involved in the Siege of Bergen op Zoom in 1814. People described him as a "prudent and humane commander" during this time.

Battle of Waterloo

In 1815, Sir George Cooke was part of Wellington's staff at the important Battle of Waterloo. This was a huge battle that helped end the Napoleonic Wars. During the battle, Cooke was severely injured and lost his right arm.

For his bravery and service at Waterloo, he received two special awards. He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) on June 22, 1815. He also became a Knight of St George of Russia.

Later Life

After his military service, Sir George Cooke continued to serve his country. In 1819, he became the Lieutenant-Governor of Portsmouth. He was also the General Officer Commanding the South-West District.

Sir George Cooke never married. He passed away at Harefield Park on February 3, 1837.

Sources

Bibliography

Attribution

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Carlyle, Edward Irving (1901). "Sir George Cooke". Dictionary of National Biography (supplement). London: Smith, Elder & Co.