Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Cook, a farm carter, born 1871 in Shearsby, Leicestershire (son of Henry Cooke, 1832 and Hannah Hensman, 1833) and his wife Selina Cook (nee Winstone, married on the 7th January 1896 in All Saint’s Church, Peatling Magna, Leicestershire), born on the 24th July 1874 in Clifford, Warwickshire and baptised on the 11th October 1874 in St, Helen’s Church, Clifford Chambers, Warwickshire (daughter of Charles Winston and Selina Florence, 1846-1927). Albert Henry was born in in the October quarter of 1896 in Shearsby and baptised on the 30th January 1898 in St. Bartholomew’s Church, Foston, Leicestershire, his siblings were, George Arthur, born on the 1st September 1898 in Foston and Richard, born in the January quarter of 1901 in South Wigston, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Hinckley Road, Sapcote, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Albert was absent from the family home at The Rectory, Normanton Le Heath, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a farm cowman, his mother and siblings, George, a schoolboy, Richard, a schoolboy, Percy John, a schoolboy, born in the July quarter of 1903 and baptised on the 15th April 1906 in St. Wistan’s Church, Wistow, Leicestershire, Edith Annie, a schoolgirl, born on the 10th September 1905 and baptised on the 15th April 1906 in St. Wistan’s Church, Wistow and Hilda Mary, born on the 15th July 1908 and baptised on the 11th October 1908 in St. Wistan’s Church, Wistow, the latter three siblings were all born in Newton Harcourt, Leicestershire, meanwhile Albert was employed as a farm worker and was residing as a servant at The Rectory, Normanton Le Heath.
FAMILY NOTE. Albert also had a younger sister, Selina May, born on the 28th May 1912.
Albert enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 28th September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 3094. He gave his present address as 24, Garden Street, South Wigston, Leicestershire.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 28th September 1914 and recorded his birthplace as [no record], declared age as 18 years 30 days, trade or occupation as [no record], that he was 5-feet 5½ inches in height, weighed [no record] lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 34½ inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=D6 L.E.-V=D6. Enlisted at Leicester on the 28th September 1914. Joined on enlistment 4th (Reserve) Bn. Leicestershire Regt.
His medical inspection record gave his full name as A. H. Cooke, his apparent age as 18 years, his height as 5-foot 5½ inches, his chest measurement as 32½ inches to 34½ inches, his vision as D6 and his physical development as good.
He was certified as fit for the Territorial Force. Date 28th September 1914. Place Leicester.
He gave his next of kin as his father, John Cooke, 24, Garden Street, South Wigston, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 28/9/14.
Posted. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 28/9/14.
Embodied service commenced. Pte. 28/9/14.
Transferred. To 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 15/8/15.
Embarked. From Southampton. 19/8/15.
Disembarked. At Rouen. 20/8/15.
Killed in action. Place not stated. In the Field. 13/10/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 28/9/14 – 19/8/15. 326 days.
France. 20/8/15 – 13/10/15. 55 days.
Total Service. 1 year 16 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00 pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50 pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00 pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
On Thursday February 10th, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 6, under the heading. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Official intimation has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Cooke, of 24, Garden-Street, South Wigston, that their son, Private HARRY COOKE, was recently killed in Flanders. Private Cooke was only 20 years of age, and at the outbreak of the war was working for Mr. Gamble, South Wigston, but he answered the call at once, and enlisted in the 4th Battalion Leicester’s. A brother of Private Cooke is serving at the front with the 3rd Leicester’s.
On Friday February 18th, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 3, under the heading. – THE ROLL OF HONOUR. – (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. HARRY COOKE, aged 20, killed in Flanders. His parents live at 24, Garden-street, South Wigston.
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