WITH THE MESOPOTAMIA EXPEDITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1916, Page 2

WITH THE MESOPOTAMIA EXPEDITION.

AUCKLANBER'S PLUCKY ACT. SAVES COMRADE FROM THE TIGRIS. A private letter just to hand gives details of a plucky act performed by J. W. Cook, an old Auckland boy, now holding the rank of corporal in the British Relief Expedition on the Tigris. Old residents will remember the glassworks run by Mr. Michael Cook in Freeman's Ray in the early days of Auckland. Corpoj-al J. W. Cook, who is a son of Mr. Michael Cook, left Auckland in 189(1, and twelve months later went to England. In a letter written to his sister under date of March 19 from the India Office, London, he with pardonable pride forwards the following extract from battalion orders by Lieut.-Colonel J. G. Kairlie:— "Congratulation. The Commanding Officer is pleased to congratulate No. 18721, Corporal J. W. Cook, upon his brave action in going to the assistance of a comrade in difficulties whilst swimming, The good comradeship displayed is an example to all. (Signed) .T. G. Fairlie, Lieut.-Colonel. Sheikh Saad, March 17, 1910." • Corporal Cook says: "The CO. was very loud in his praises of my action. I went to the man's assistance after he shouted he was done for. The river is very treacherous, the currents and whirlpools are awful where we are. I have seen sailing vessels come down the river sideways." It may interest old friends to learn that Mr. Michael Cook is alive and well in the South, though, nearly 81 years of age.