William James Cooke

Terry Daly recalled that Bill Cooke was a member of the Hampshire Regiment Scout Section based at Wickham. 

In 1984, Bill Cooke recalled his time there,  “Ah, the comradeship. You didn’t realise how great it was.”

As the Scout Sections were being reduced in size in April 1943, Terry Daly and Bill Cooke joined the 3rd Battalion, the Parachute Regiment. They were sent to Hardwick Hall near Chesterfield, the Parachute Regiment Depot, before going to Ringway for their Parachute Course.

Bill Cooke was recruited to Bill Stirling’s 2 SAS in 1944.  He served on a series of operations, including Operation Jonquil, an operation to evacuate escaped allied prisoners of war from Italy's Adriatic coast by boat, which had very limited success. He also served on Operation Trueform 1 and later Operation Archway in Germany. He was then sent to Norway as part of Operation Apostle, to help disarm German troops there after VE Day. While in Norway, he played for the “SAS Wanderers” 2 SAS football team.

He was released on 20 Jun 1948 at Aldershot with the rank of Lance Corporal. His discharge testimonial stated “A good capable NCO and man. A very hard worker and a keen sportsman.”