Colour Sergeant Cook, The Civil Service Rifles.

Edward VII Territorial Force Efficiency Medal.
389 C. Sjt. W. Cook, 15th London Regiment (Civil Service Rifles).

The Territorial Force came into being on 1st April 1908, following the reforms of the Secretary of State for War, Richard Haldane. The Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 combined the old volunteer, militia and yeomanry units into new formations. The 12th Middlesex Civil Service Rifle Volunteers, discarding their old grey uniforms in favour of khaki, became the newly-formed 15th (County of London) Battalion, the London Regiment. Men who had been serving in the former were required to attest for the new formation throughout April 1908. Colour Sergeant Cook's service number would indicate that he was the 389th man to attest. In the Regimental Orders for July 1908, he is listed as the highest ranking NCO in No. 6 Company. He is included in the Battalion's list of marksmen in 1908, with a score of 148 points, an achievement surpassed by only 17 other men in the Battalion. He was also entitled to wear four "Efficiency Stars".

 The Regimental Orders for February 1909 list the 21 men awarded the Volunteer Long Service Medal and 31 men awarded the newly-instituted Territorial Force Efficiency Medal. Colour Sergeant Cook was one of the latter. This medal was granted to all men who completed 12 years' service with a minimum of twelve trainings, past service in the Volunteers being admissible, provided that the whole period of service was continuous. At 5.45pm on 10th May 1909, the Battalion paraded at Somerset House for the presentation of these medals by Major-General V. J. Dawson, C.V.O., Commanding 2nd London Division.