Sunday, August 28, 2011

Gunner Harold Cook, R.A., M.E.F.



Gunner Harold Cook, R.A. (281 Bty, 88th H.A.A.)
From Whitehaven, Cumberland (Cumbria)
[Photograph courtesy of 'The Whitehaven News']


Gunner Harold Cook, R.A. from Whitehaven, Cumberland was killed in action in the Middle East. At the time of his death he was 34 years old.

For additional information click on 'Comments' below

5 Comments:

Blogger ritsonvaljos said...

Additional information

1. Obituary details

Gunner Harold Cook, R.A., Service No. 1738514, was the husband of Mrs Bridget Cook (nee Gilmore). Gunner Cook had been serving with the Middle East Forces for about a year when he was killed in action on 30 November 1941. At the time of his death Gunner Cook was attached to 281 Battery, 88 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. He is buried at Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt (Grave Ref. 8.C.2). The cemetery is approximately 12 kilometres (c. 7 miles) east of the Egypt / Libya border.

Harold Cook was survived by his wife, Mrs Bridget Cook (nee Gilmore), two daughters and his widowed mother. Gunner Cook is commemorated in the WW2 Borough of Whitehaven Book of Remembrance as well as the WW2 St Begh's R.C. Church War Memorial.

The following obituary notice appeared in 'The Whitehaven News' (18 December 1941):

ROLL OF HONOUR
COOK - Harold, beloved husband of Bridget Cook, killed in action in November 1941 while serving with the Middle East Forces.
On whose soul, sweet Jesus, have mercy.
R.I.P.

The following 'Family Notice' appeared in 'The Whitehaven News' dated Thursday 25 December 1941:

DEATHS
COOK - In loving memory of my dear son, Harold, who was killed in action, November 1941, in Middle East.

Only a step removed,
We soon again shall meet,
Our own, our dearly loved,
Around our Saviour's feet.

Mourned by his Mother, Brothers and sisters.
--------------------------------

2. Remembering Gunner Harold Cook

His family remembers (1943)

The following 'In Memoriam' appeared in 'The Whitehaven News' (Thursday 2 December 1943):

ROLL OF HONOUR
COOK - To the memory of our beloved son and brother, Harold Cook, H.A.A., R.A., killed in action in the Middle East, November 30, 1941.
R.I.P.

On the Resurrection Morning,
Soul and Body meet again:
No more sorrow, no more parting,
No more pain.

From his loving Mam, all Sisters and Brothers serving at home and abroad.
-------------------------

Acknowledgements:

Cumbria County Archives & Library Service, Whitehaven

'The Whitehaven News'

Sunday, 28 August, 2011  
Blogger Samsalin said...

Thank you so much for this post. Harold was my great uncle, on behalf of our branch of his family I'd like to express our gratitude for the work and effort that has been put in to recording his memory.

Monday, 01 June, 2015  
Anonymous Ricky McClurry said...

Harold Cook was my granddad, his daughter Babs McClurry (nee Cook) is my Mam. Harold was only 32 years old and was one of the first servicemen in the town to be killed in WW2.
He was also mourned by his his loving widow "Bridget" who was left alone to bring up 2 daughters in Bardy Lane. She received the black bordered telegram on the morning of 7th Dec (Pearl Harbour), I wish I'd known him, I too would also like to thank the original poster.

Saturday, 20 June, 2015  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Samsalin. Harold Cook was my Grandad. Would love to know who you are & where you are from.
Very interesting to hear about Harold.

Sunday, 21 June, 2015  
Blogger ritsonvaljos said...

Thank you very much for the recent additional comments about your relative, Gunner Harold Cook.

The address given for Harold Cook in the Borough of Whitehaven WW2 'Book of Remembrance' is Fell View Avenue (published 1953). Many of the families who lived at Bardy Lane were transferred to better housing on Fell View Avenue (including some of my own relatives).

Sunday, 21 June, 2015  

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