Afternoon I'm currently editing my grandfather's diaries from WW2. He was Lt Col Anthony Barne who commanded the 4th Hussars in the final stretch of the war. He mentions "Brigadier Cookie" several times in 1945 but I can't seem to track him down. He would have been part of the Eight Army in the Italian campaign and should, in theory, be easy to locate Any help gratefully received... Charlie
Recommendation for Award for Cooke, Ronald Basil Bowen Bancroft Rank: Lieutenant... | The National Archives Reference: WO 373/71/9 Name Cooke, Ronald Basil Bowen Bancroft Rank: Lieutenant Colonel Regiment: Royal Armoured Corps Theatre of Combat or Operation: North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia) Award: Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Date of announcement in London Gazette: 05 August 1943 ============= Recommendation for Award for Cooke, Ronald Basil Bowen Bancroft Rank: Temporary... | The National Archives Reference: WO 373/7/275 Name Cooke, Ronald Basil Bowen Bancroft Rank: Temporary Brigadier Service No: 403 Regiment: BGS Head Quarters 10 Corps Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Distinguished Service Order Date of announcement in London Gazette: 24 August 1944 ============= Recommendation for Award for Cooke, Ronald Basil Bowen Bancroft Regiment: ... | The National Archives Reference: WO 373/148/9 Name Cooke, Ronald Basil Bowen Bancroft Regiment: British Army Theatre of Combat or Operation: Foreign to British: USA Award: The Legion of Merit Date of announcement in London Gazette: 23 May 1947 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37961/supplement/2287/data.pdf ============= Ronald Basil Bowen Bancroft Cooke - Person - National Portrait Gallery https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76405908/ronald-basil_bowen_bancroft-cooke
brigadier cookie was my grandfather I would love to find out more about what you have that refers to him…
Andy, Welcome aboard. Charles Barne has not logged in for three years. I will send him a Private Message (PM) to the address given upon joining to return. You can use the Pm facility after x5 post. If click on his Avatar you can see what else he has posted.
Andy. If you ever want to get your head around what your grandfather actually did at Salerno and on the Garigliano, do get in touch. I guide at both locations. I had not realised that the success of the Garigliano crossing was largely down to his staff work. Regards Frank
Andy. I am based in York but spend most of my time running battlefield studies in Italy. I cover places that your grandfather had a big hand in - Salerno, the crossing of the mighty Garigliano in the First Battle of Cassino and the Final Offensive when he commanded 9 Armd Bde. Get hold of me through www.cassinobattlefields.co.uk Regards Frank
Hi Andy Apologies for the delayed response. Your grandfather appears many times in my grandfather's diaries from the war- and in a uniquely positive tone, I should say (not the case with all of his senior officers!). I published my grandfather's diaries under the title "Churchill's Colonel" and there are still some copies available on Amazon, bookshops, and depressingly eBay! Best of luck with your research- I have found it immensely rewarding and fascinating All v best Charlie
