John Coke (East India Company officer) facts for kids
Sir John Coke (pronounced Cook; born November 17, 1806 – died December 17, 1897) was a brave soldier in the East India Company Army. He is famous for starting the 1st Regiment of Punjab Infantry in 1849. This regiment was later called 55th Coke's Rifles. Sir John Coke received the Delhi medal for his service and was honored as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He also served as a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Lieutenant in Herefordshire, and was the High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1879.
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John Coke's Early Life and Family
John Coke was born on November 17, 1806. He was the seventh son of Rev. Francis Coke. His family, the Coke family of Trusley, Derbyshire, had a long history. They believed their family started with a man named Cook or Coke. This ancestor worked for Henry de Ferrars, who managed William the Conqueror's horse armorers.
Starting a Military Career
John Coke began his army career on December 3, 1827. He became an Ensign in the 10th Regiment Bengal Native Infantry. Just three weeks later, he sailed to India. He was promoted to Lieutenant on August 29, 1835. In the same year, he became the Adjutant of his regiment, a role he held for nine years. He also studied at Fort William College in Calcutta. There, he learned to be an interpreter in three different languages.
In 1843, his regiment, the 10th, was sent to Sindh. They went to help Sir Charles James Napier. After about a year and a half, they marched back to Hindustan.
Fighting in the Second Anglo-Sikh War
From 1845 to 1848, Coke was on leave in Europe. Because of this, he missed the First Anglo-Sikh War. However, he returned to India in April 1848 when the Second Anglo-Sikh War began. Captain Coke joined the army of Sir Hugh Gough as a volunteer in 1849. He served with Colonel Tait's 2nd Irregular Cavalry.
During the battle of Chillianwalla, his horse was shot. This happened while he was moving Major Dewes' Battery to the front lines. He was also present at the final victory of Goojerat. He then joined the chase of the Sikhs and Afghans to Peshawur. This pursuit was led by General Sir Walter Gilbert.
Forming the 1st Regiment Punjab Infantry
In 1849, Lord Dalhousie took control of the Punjab. John Coke was then asked to create a new regiment for frontier service. He started forming the 1st Punjaub Infantry on April 6, 1849.
On February 23, 1850, the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Charles Napier, reviewed the regiment. He was very impressed. He told Colonel Henry Montgomery Lawrence:
- "Coke's regiment is amazing in drill. It is excellent! Both you and I saw how bravely this corps fought. This was under its great leader in our five-day campaign in the Kohat Pass. I am more pleased with this young commander than I can say."
Coke also received thanks from the Honourable Court of Directors. The Governor of India thanked him for quickly forming the regiment. They also thanked him for its service in the Kohat Pass. He later received thanks from the Governor-General in Council. The Punjab Board of Administration also praised the regiment. This was for their actions in the campaign under Sir Colin Campbell in May 1852.
Leading as Deputy Commissioner of Kohat
In 1850, Coke was made Deputy Commissioner of Kohat. This meant he was in charge of both civil and military matters in this frontier area. The region was very difficult at the time. Hill Tribes were constantly raiding villages. Kohat was known as the most lawless district in the Punjaub.
However, during the five years Coke was in charge, Kohat became known for its loyalty. It also developed an organized government. Much later, Lord Napier of Magdala visited the district. He told Major-General Coke that the people still remembered him. They remembered how he tried to rule for their benefit and for the good of the State.
Colonel George Bruce Malleson wrote about Coke in his book History of the Indian Mutiny:
- "Colonel Coke was one of the best-known officers of the Punjaub Frontier Force. He knew his job very well. He also understood the people of India better than almost anyone. He had a rare ability to make them follow his will. He had seen a lot of action. He was with Sir Charles Napier in Upper Sind. He fought with Gough at Chilianwala and Gujrat. He was also with Gilbert chasing the Sikhs. After the second Sikh War, he served continuously on the frontier. There, his name became famous. Almost every expedition against the wild border tribes included Coke. He was wounded twice. But his brave behavior and leadership gained the full trust of his men. It also earned respect from his enemies. Wherever he was, his presence made a difference."
Coke was first wounded in the Kohat Pass in 1853. In September 1855, he was thanked by the Governor-General, Lord Dalhousie. This was for his regiment's actions at the Summana Mountains. They captured enemy defenses 5,000 feet high. The regiment started climbing at 10 PM on September 1. They did not return until about the same time on September 2. This meant they were working for 24 hours.
Role in the Indian Mutiny
In February 1857, Coke and his regiment were part of a successful campaign. This was in the Bogdar Hills. He was wounded again there and received the Frontier medal. In May of the same year, the Indian Mutiny broke out. He then marched his troops to Delhi.
Colonel Malleson wrote about Coke's actions during the siege of Delhi:
- "Coke was called to Delhi in early August. He brought all his frontier skills to the siege. He was always at the front of the fight. He was always daring and confident. I want to share one special act that shows his behavior at this time. On August 12, Coke was told to take the European picket (a small group of soldiers) from the Metcalfe stables. He was to go through the Metcalfe gardens and attack the enemy guns. These guns had been firing on the picket the day before. He wasn't told where the guns were. But Coke had been in Delhi before the mutiny. He thought he would find them near Ludlow Castle. He told the officer leading the picket to spread out his men to the right. They were to follow his direction. At the same time, he ordered Lieutenant Lumsden to skirmish through the gardens on the left. This was where he expected to find many enemies. He then rode through the gardens towards Ludlow Castle. When he reached the garden wall on the main road, he saw a hole in the wall. At the same moment, he saw the enemy's guns on the road. There were two nine-pounder brass guns with horses attached. But no one was with them. The enemy had likely gone into Ludlow Castle after Lumsden drove them from the Metcalfe gardens. The horses' heads were facing the city. An alarm, a stray bullet, or a loud noise could make them run off at any moment.
- "Quickly, Coke had an idea. If he could turn the horses' heads towards the British camp, it wouldn't matter if they got scared. They would capture the guns for the British themselves! Instantly, he got off his horse. He climbed through the hole in the wall onto the road. He ran to the horses of the first gun and turned them up the road towards the camp. While doing this, he was shot in the thigh by the enemy in Ludlow Castle. But the guns were captured! He had completed his brave task. His only reward was the admiration of everyone who saw his amazing courage."
In February 1858, he was given command of a brigade. This group was to operate in Rohilkhand. When he reached Roorkee, he had trouble finding transport. Malleson wrote:
- "The area had been so used up that little transport was available. In this difficult situation, Coke's practical knowledge and cleverness helped. He had read how, in old Indian wars, the Brinjaris (traders who carried grain on pack cattle) were very useful. He remembered that at this time of year, these men pastured their cattle in the Terai region. He sent people there, found them, and made agreements with their leaders. This allowed him to solve a problem that many others would have found impossible."
Lord Lawrence wrote to The Times in November 1878. He was writing about the Afghan war. He named Major-General John Coke as one of the "models of frontier officers." He called them "good administrators and able soldiers." These were "men who gave their health, and even their lives, to their duty."
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