Painter in oil and watercolour and freelance commercial artist, He was born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, between 1924–32 studying at the local School of Art, then illustration through Percy Bradshaw’s correspondence Press Art School. Cooke’s work was reproduced on greetings cards and he showed in mixed exhibitions at RA, ROI and UA. Drian and Mansfield Art Galleries gave him solo shows. Lived for many years in Guildford, Surrey.