The Queens Own Royal West Kent R

The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private C Cook

Photographs by Judy Barradell-Smith

Private Charles COOK, G/2554, 8th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, died of wounds, Hamburg, Prisoner of War, 6th November 1915.

16th June 1896, born, Kilburn, Middlesex, son of Walter Thomas and Emma Cook, of 70, Ashmore Road, Paddington, London.

1911 Census - 99 Church Street, Marylebone - Walter Cook, head, age 43, married, textile dyer, born Willesden, Middlesex; Emma Cook, wife, age 42, married 22 years, 9 children, 6 still alive, born Northmoor, Oxford; Henry Cook, son, age 21, single, shop assistant, boot, born St Georges, London; Florrie Cook, daughter, age 18, single, ironer, dyers, at home, born St Georges, London; John Cook, son, age 16, single, porter, tailor, born Paddington, London; Charlie Cook, son, age 12, school, born Willesden, Middlesex; Edward Cook, son, age 5, school, born St Marylebone, London.

Enlisted Marylebone, Middlesex, age 19 years & 3 months, height 5ft 4½ inches, weight 120lbs, fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair. Resided Paddington, W. Formerly coach painter.

Home 8th September 1914 to 29th August 1915; BEF 30th August 1915 to 6th November 1915.

8th September 1914, enlisted; 9th September 1914, posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 12th September 1914, posted 8th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 8th May 1915, Shoreham, not complying with an order, 7 days confined to Barracks; 6th June 1915, Shoreham, absent from Tattoo until 4.30 on 7th, 8 days confined to Barracks, deprived of 2 days pay, forfeits 2 days pay; 26th September 1915, wounded.

2nd December 1915, memo to Infantry Records Office - A Certificate of the death of No.2554, Charles Cook, 8th Royal West Kent Regiment, signed by the Chief Doctor of the Kriegsgefangenen-Lazare Limburg a/Lahn has been received through the International Committee of the Red Cross, Geneva. ???? notifies the death from sepsis following a fracture of the leg on the 6th November 1915. This evidence of death may be accepted for official purposes, the usual non-effective documents should be prepared and the next of kin notified. The name and address of the next ???? date of notification should be reported ???? Offuce. An extract from the Certificate of Death is enclosed.

Report of death, Head Doctor, Staff Surgeon & two witnesses, Hamburg, translation,- Christian & Surname - Charles Cook; Regiment & No. - Royal West Kent Regiment. Disc No.2554; Date of Birth & place - 16th June 1896 in London; Address of Relatives - Father. Walter Thomas Cook (Dyer), London; Date of Capture - October 1915; Date of Death - 6th November 1915; Cause of death - sepsis after fracture of leg by shot; Place of Burial - Cemetery of the Prisoners Camp. The grave has a cross with the name inscribed, and can be visited later. Charles Cook's injury was so severe that even amputation could not save his life unfortunately. He died gently without a struggle as his strength had already been wasted by the severe blood poisoning.

21st July 1919, Statement of Relatives - Father, Walter Thomas Cook, 70, Ashmore Road, Paddington; Mother, Emma Cook, 70, Ashmore Road, Paddington,; Brother - Mr W Cook, age 24, 15136 Scots Guards, Caterham; Sisters - Emma Cook, age 26, 12 Fawley Road, Hampstead; Florrie Cook, age 25, 12 Fawley Road, Hampstead.

Buried at Niederzwehren Cemetery, III. J. 12., Kassel, Hessen, Germany.

This page was last updated on 03-May-2018.