COOK, Charles William


No.GS/27399, Private, Charles William COOK
Aged 19


7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
Killed in Action presumed on Monday, 13th November 1916


Charles William Cook was born in Wickhambrook (Risbridge Q1-1897 4A-774), son of Charles and Jane COOK (née ALCOCK).
There is room for confusion here as Charles COOK married a Jane ALCOCK (d.of Robert and Eliza Alcock)in Q4-1894 and Henry COOK married a Jane ALCOCK (d.of Henry and Keziah Alcock) in Q2-1890 Risbridge 4A:921.

1901 census...Aged 4, he was at Shop Hill, Wickhambrook with his father Charles COOK [31] a carrier; his mother Jane [32]; brothers Henry R. [2] and Albert E.[8 months]. All were born in Wickhambrook.

1911 census...Aged 14, now William, he was assisting his father's business as carrier and small farmer, living at The Duddery with his parents, brothers Edward (Albert E ?), George [7], Arthur [3], John [2] and James [1 month]; sisters Nellie [9] and Edith [6]. All were born in Wickhambrook. Two of the ten siblings had died, Henry R being one of them.


He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds and was killed before serving one year.
From H.C.O'Neill's "The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War":- The battalion was engaged in the Battle of the Ancre, forming part of the 190th Brigade, 63rd (Naval) Division, immediately north of the river. At 5.45 am, "C" and "D" companies advanced with the H.A.C. on their right. On the left a redoubt made a deep salient into the British lines. "C" Coy. met with heavy rifle and machine gun fire and were held up by German wire and had to return to their starting point. Despite it being so foggy that no-one could really see what was happening, another attack was made and they took heavy casualties before rushing the German front line and capturing 50 men and a machine gun. Leaving a Sgt with 3 Lewis guns and 13 men to hold up a German strong point, an advance was made to the Green line, which they held until relieved by the HAC at 9 pm. Meanwhile "D" company had tried three time to advance but reduced to 50 men they were forced to retire.
CWGC records show 117 men of the 7th Royal Fusiliers killed that day, 26 having no identified grave.



Charles William Cook is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, pier and face 8C/9A and 16A

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


BACK