Ernest Stenson-Cooke

Ernest Stenson-Cooke (5 October 1874 – 19 November 1942) was a British fencer. He competed in the individual foil and épée events at the 1912 Summer Olympics.^[1]

He was the first secretary of The Automobile Association,^[1] beginning in 1905 when it was established and serving in that capacity for 37 years.^[2] By the start of the first world war, membership of the AA had risen from 90 (when he had been taken on) to 83,000^[3]

He wrote the autobiographical "This Motoring - Being the Romantic Story of the Automobile Association", ISBN 978-1125868041, which was published in 1931.

He was knighted in 1933 for services to motoring.^[4][5]

From an early age Stenson-Cooke had been interested in military training and for some years was a member of the cadet corps attached to the London Rifle Brigade, from which he retired (with the rank of Captain) in 1903.^[4]

During World War I he served with 8th Essex Territorials, then as a staff captain at the War Office, and was later appointed Controller of Supplies under the Ministry of National Service.^[4]

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