Doncaster baronet and member of nobility dies at 82 after long illness

Colonel Sir David William Perceval Cooke, 12th Baronet, died in Edinburgh at the weekend and his funeral will take place next month.

Sir David stems from the Cooke family, who helped to establish much of the current day buildings and village of Arksey as well as a number of other contributions to the Doncaster area. The family's home was once Wheatley Hall, now demolished and from which Wheatley Hall Road, takes its name.

He was born on April 28, 1935, the son of the 11th Baronet, Major Sir Charles Arthur John Cooke and Diana Perceval.

Sir David married Margaret Frances Skinner in April 1959 and the couple have three daughters, Sara Elizabeth Mary Cooke, Louisa Diana Margaret Cooke and Catherine Faith Maria Cooke.

With no male heirs, the title of baronet will die alongside him after 12 previous baronets.

Sir David was educated at Wellington College, Berkshire and at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in Berkshire. He was commissioned in 1955, in the service of the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards and transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps in 1958.

He succeeded to the title of 12th Baronet Cooke, of Wheatley Hall, on 5 July 1978.

He was decorated with the award of Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977 and he graduated from the Open University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts.

He gained the rank of Colonel in 1984 and retired from the military in 1990.

Since retiring from the military he was registered as an Associate Member of the Institute of Traffic Administration and was also registered as an Associate of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

He was also invested as a Fellow of the British Institute of Management and as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport.

The Cooke family's origins in Doncaster can be traced back to the 15th century and the family were wealthy landowners, swallowing up huge parts of Doncaster in the 17th century.

Their former country home, Wheatley Hall, was demolished in 1938 with Parklands Sports and Social Club and grounds now occupying the site.

The funeral service will take place at All Saints Church, Arksey on June 1 at noon.

No flowers by request but if desired, donations may be made to Erskine www.Erskine.org.uk. a collection plate will also be provided at the church.

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