York's last surviving member of the D-Day Normandy landings of The Second World War had a double cause for celebration last weekend.
More than 150 people gathered at St Lawrence Parish Church in York on Saturday, September 26, for the launch of Ken Cooke's memoir: Every Day is an Adventure, an event that coincided with his formal receipt of a scroll in connection with the honorary Freedom of the City of York, conferred on him earlier this year.
Ken was joined by friends, guests from The Lord Mayor of York's civic party, and His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of North Yorkshire Johanna Ropner, who all came together to celebrate his achievements and contributions to the community.
Ken was joined by the book's authors, Gillian MacDonald and Amanda Stirk, along with Nick Beilby, secretary of York Normandy Veterans (Image: David Harrison)
Lord Mayor of York Councillor Margaret Wells said: "It is wonderful and a huge honour to present Ken with his honorary freedom of the city.
"At our special council meeting every single councillor there voted to give him this, our highest accolade and the number of people that turned up to see him accept it and buy a copy of his book shows how much he is loved and respected throughout York."
The 101-year-old is invited to speak at dozens of educational events and commemorations each year which ensure that the memory of the events of the Second World War and the Normandy Veterans are kept alive in York.
In a celebration of Ken's 100th birthday in August 2025, The Press received dozens of tributes from across the UK and closer to home.
It came in the same year that he met royalty and heads of state at a special international event at Gold Beach where he landed as a young Green Howards private, visited the British Memorial Gardens at Ver-sur-Mer, and scattered the ashes of two York Normandy Veterans – Flying Officer Douglas Petty and Trooper Sid Metcalfe – both of whom died in 2022.
Also at the signing was former Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Martin Rowley BEM (Image: David Harrison)
Nick Beilby, secretary of the York Normandy Veterans said: "In terms of the day, it was really for Ken and for all of his friends.
"It was a spectacular day and the church was at its very best.
"And to make it happen for Ken, all these disparate all groups came together to allow him to launch his book.
"The Lord Lieutenant and The Civic Party were clearly relishing every single bit of it.
"It's a testament to Ken that so many people turned out and it shows just how much he's a part of York, and the wider world.
"It was clearly demonstrated by those queues of people who asked him to sign copies of their book and to enjoy the church.
"Those people went away happy.
"As did Ken, who had a smile on his face at the exit to the church after three hours of signing, saying 'right, I'm off for a bacon sandwich now."
Co-author of the memoir Gillian MacDonald said more than 300 books have been sold or ordered, with another signing scheduled for St Helens Church in Skipwith Road, Escrick on Saturday, November 14.
Five copies of the book are also being delivered to the Ukrainian parliament.
The Freedom of the City was officially conferred upon Ken in July, but the formal scroll presentation took place during the book launch.
The event was described as "a celebration of his life," marking a day of pride and affection for a man who means so much to York.
Postal copies of Ken Cooke: Every Day is an Adventure can be obtained via gem3650@sky.com