Walter Cook was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was approx. 25 years old, and a Private in the 42nd Regiment (later The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 15 January 1859 at Maylah Ghat , India, when the fighting was most severe and the few men of the 42nd Regiment were skirmishing so close to the enemy (who were in great numbers) that some of them were wounded by sword cuts, the only officer was severely wounded and the colour-sergeant was killed. Private Cook and another private (Duncan Millar) immediately went to the front and took a prominent part in directing the company and displayed a courage, coolness and discipline which was the admiration of all who witnessed it.

Reference

• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• SCOTLAND'S FORgotten VALOUR (Graham Ross, 1995)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.