My Tribute to John Cooke

Tribute to John Cooke

I first met John at the 5A pantomime rehearsals, John would work on the scenery, props and in the interval would help Ralph Warburton behind the bar.

2005 the 5A theatre group were asked to put together a play to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the second world war. The date was the Sunday after the party in the park. The stage was already there all we needed was a theme

We planned to depict each year of the war but we wanted a spectacular ending, something that would be a lasting memory. We put our heads together and came up a fitting tribute, we would dress in military uniforms march on stage, read the names of the soldiers killed in both wars from Audlem and the surrounding villages.

Olive would sing "We'll meet again" then we would march off the stage never to return.

Simple, I knew Olive would be up to sing, but who would teach us to march? Up jumped John Cooke – retired private in the British army. After eight weeks of basic training we were ready.

I made a few phone calls and Rodney Cottrell and I went to Birmingham to meet Allen – a man with uniforms. We brought back to the public hall three hundred military uniforms. The cast would pick up their uniforms on the Friday before the event on Sunday. John said he did not want to take part, there was no way he was putting on a uniform at any price. I had a word with May, John's partner, to see if she could change his mind. Friday came and we rolled out the uniforms, and thankfully John appeared – he had changed his mind. (bless you May)

Allen asked John his army rank, John stood bolt upright and said "private, Cooke, 48796". Allen looked at John and gave him his uniform, John was amazed, "this is a regimental colour sergeant majors uniform" Allen said "you are now the 5A company sergeant major". John five foot four and a bit high walked off to the changing room.

When he came back in uniform he was five foot eight, "I haven't finished yet, here's your hat, sash and your swagger stick" – John was now six foot tall.

On the Sunday John marched the 5A company onto the stage, Olive sang, the list of the fallen was read and then John led us off stage. Young Melissa read the legions prayer, then the stage was left empty, there was a profound silence.

John came over to me afterwards and said how much he enjoyed the whole event, I thanked him, because without him it wouldn't have happened.

Rest in peace my soldier friend rest in peace.