COOK, Francis Stanley


No.59427, Private, Francis Stanley COOK
Aged 19


1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment
Killed in Action on Tuesday, 29th October 1918


Francis Stanley Cook was born in Cowlinge in 1899 (Risbridge Q2-1899 4A:728), baptised in Cowlinge on 28th May 1899, 2nd son of Robert and Susan COOK (née BRETT) of The Oaks, Cowlinge.



1901 census...Aged 1, he was at Banstead Farm, Kirtling with his father Robert COOK [32]farmer born Swaffham, Cambs; his mother Susan [33] born Wickhambrook; sister Florence S [9] and brother Robert H [6]. The children all born in Cowlinge.

1911 census...Aged 11, he was at Hill Farm, Assington, nr Colchester, with his parents, sister Florence and brother Robert (apprentice ironmonger) and sister Dorothy Evelyn [6] born Kirtling.


He enlisted in Chelmsford and served less than one year.
War Diary:-28 Oct- east of Mazinghien - "A" Coy, left; "B" Coy centre; "C" Coy right; "D" Coy support.
During the day the battalion endeavoured to reach the line of the CANAL DE LA SAMBRE a L'OISE by peaceful penetration. The right company reached the canal without opposition but the centre company met with strong opposition from machine guns and snipers.
29th - At 8:00 the centre coy attacked under a barrage and gained all its objectives, except a strong point on the right flank, by 8:25 15 prisoners and several M.Gs were captured. Prisoners were of the 78 R.I.R.
At 14:15 the centre coy again attacked and gained all its objectives.
At 16:55 the Boche counter-attacked in strength and pushed the right of the left company and the left of the centre company.
30/10/1918 - At 5:03 the Boche again counter-attacked in force and pushed back the right flank slightly. The enemy attacked in two parties, one party attacked the left coy from the direction of CATILLON and the other crossed the canal by a bridge by the barge and attacked the right of the centre company.......
Casualties for 29/30th October were 16 killed, 39 wounded and 13 missing.

CWGC records have 13 killed on 29th.




photo; Commonwealth War Graves Commission



Francis Cook is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois memorial, panel 7
and a wall plaque in St Margaret of Antioch Church in Cowlinge.

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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