A former Dundee man who won the Distinguished Flying Cross after flying 39 missions in the Second World War has died, aged 88.
Dr John Cook was born in Findochty, Morayshire, but moved to Dundee, attending Clepington and Stobswell Schools.
He left school at 14, intending to join the Salvation Army, but volunteered for the Royal Air Force on his 18th birthday. After serving in the Air Training Corps for a year, he joined 61 Squadron.
In 1944 he joined 207 Squadron and was later awarded the DFC. In January 1945, he was posted to 617 Squadron which had gained fame as The Dambusters serving in India.
After demob in 1948, he began a degree in medicine at St Andrews University, studying at its Dundee campus.
He graduated in 1955 and went on to study tropical medicine. He was a missionary doctor with the Salvation Army in central Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
He returned to the UK in 1978 and served in general practice and at Guy’s Hospital, London, until he retired in 1988.
Predeceased by his wife Gwen, he is survived by children Ian, twins Alastair and Jane and Andrew.
