WILLIAM JOHN COOK
William John Cook was born in 1877 in Sittingbourne, Kent, the son of John Cook, a Master Mariner, and his wife Harriet.
In July 1899, William married Emily Ellen Abell in the Stroud district. Banns were read in Woodchester and Selsley but the marriage has not been found.
By 1901, the couple were living in South Woodchester High Street. They were still there in 1911 but by now had an 8 year old daughter. Lilian Emily Harriet. William was a Clothworker in the Cardroom Department of a Cloth Mill.
He enlisted as a private in the Gloucestershire Regiment (serving in the 5th and 14th Battalions) before being transferred to the 15th Battalion of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
He died of wounds in a medical unit near St Omer on 8 October 1918, aged 41 and is buried in La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck.
Medals Victory and British War
Background
It is assumed that William's service was 5th Bn then 14 Bn Gloucesters followed by 15th Bn KOYLI. 14 Bn Gloucesters was disbanded in France 11 Feb 1918 with 12 officers and 250 men transferring to 13 Bn. The 13 Bn was reduced to cadre strength 6 May 1918. The 15th (Service) Bn KOYLI formed in France 11 June 1918 from 10th Garrison Guard Bn. The 15th KOYLI were part of the 40th Division.
The 40th Division were involved in the Advance on Flanders (5th Battle of Ypres) 28 September to 2 October 1918. This may be when William's wounds were inflicted. However, if so, he seems to have been unlucky as 15th Bn KOYLI's losses appear to be very small.
In July 1899, William married Emily Ellen Abell in the Stroud district. Banns were read in Woodchester and Selsley but the marriage has not been found.
By 1901, the couple were living in South Woodchester High Street. They were still there in 1911 but by now had an 8 year old daughter. Lilian Emily Harriet. William was a Clothworker in the Cardroom Department of a Cloth Mill.
He enlisted as a private in the Gloucestershire Regiment (serving in the 5th and 14th Battalions) before being transferred to the 15th Battalion of the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
He died of wounds in a medical unit near St Omer on 8 October 1918, aged 41 and is buried in La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck.
Medals Victory and British War
Background
It is assumed that William's service was 5th Bn then 14 Bn Gloucesters followed by 15th Bn KOYLI. 14 Bn Gloucesters was disbanded in France 11 Feb 1918 with 12 officers and 250 men transferring to 13 Bn. The 13 Bn was reduced to cadre strength 6 May 1918. The 15th (Service) Bn KOYLI formed in France 11 June 1918 from 10th Garrison Guard Bn. The 15th KOYLI were part of the 40th Division.
The 40th Division were involved in the Advance on Flanders (5th Battle of Ypres) 28 September to 2 October 1918. This may be when William's wounds were inflicted. However, if so, he seems to have been unlucky as 15th Bn KOYLI's losses appear to be very small.