Regimental number 400518, RG150, Accession 1992/93 166, Box: 1950-36, Item: 114211, PDF: B1950-SO36.  33^rd O/S Bn. to 21^st Bn. CEF. Member of 24^th Kent Regt. for four years. Born in London, England, 28/11/1886. The son of Joseph and James Cook. He emigrated to Canada, settling in Chatham, ON. Married to Grace (nee Croucher) the sister of Hope Croucher who also served in the CEF. They were living at 62 Murray St., Chatham, ON. A labourer.  

Attestation: 11/01/1915 at Chatham, ON.  Medical done on the same day. Age: 29 yrs. 1 Mth. Height: 5’ 7”, Girth: 35 ½ “,Complexion: Medium, Eyes:Blue, Hair: Brown, Both arms have tattoos 

Joseph was promoted to the rank of Cpl. 1/02/1915. He embarked as part of the 2^nd Battalion the S.S. Hesperian at Montreal, PQ. arriving at Liverpool 27 August,1915, proceeding to Shorncliffe where they were absorbed into the 9^th Reserve Bn.

He was transferred to the 21^st Batt. 5/01/16 and was drafted in the field to the Canadian Base Depot 6/01/16 at Rouelles, France and reduced to the rank of Pte. He was TOS with the 21^st Bn at Ridgewood, Belgium 14/06/16.  While working with a party 14/04/16, improving trenches, Pte. Cook received “shrapnel wounds to his back along with a compound fracture of his right arm. He received initial treatment at a C.C.S and was transported to hospital by No. 24 Ambulance Train. He was admitted to No. 3 Canadian General Hospital, Boulogne, France 16/04/16; a diagnosis of Bronchitis was added to his wounds for treatment.

By 20/04/16, 24/04/16 Cdn. Gen. Hospital he was listed as dangerously ill and the Bronchitis had been changed to Haemothorax Pneumonia (there was blood in his lungs).

“Deeply regret to inform you 400518 Corporal Joseph James Cook, Infantry. Officially reported died No.3 General Hospital, Boulonge, April 23, gun shot wounds compound right arm and chest and pneumonia. At No. 3 General Hospital – Boulogne, France.”

– Adjutant General

Mrs. Cook had received a telegram on the previous Saturday that he had been wounded on the 20^th of April and was ‘dangerously ill’ with Haemthorax Pneumonia. Her brother-in-law Hope Croucher had fell in the battle of Ypres. Besides his widow, Joseph left a three year old daughter, a mother and several sisters in England.

Pte. Joseph Cook, DOW 23/04/16 and was buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, Boulogne, VIII-A-99 France.

A memorial service was held at Christ Church, Chatham, ON 

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque “Dead Man’s Penny”, Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow and a second Memorial Cross to his mother Mrs. J. Cook at 41 Ainsty St., Rotherhithe, London, 16 England. The balance of the War Service Gratuity ($116.00) was sent to his widow, who had remarried.  The cheque was issued to Mrs. Grace Campbell (Cook), 108 Raleigh St., Chatham, ON.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cenotaph	Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham
Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (24-04-1917), Park Street Methodist Church, Books of Remembrance for the Great War 1914 - 18. At St. Andrews UC, Chatham - January 2010, Park Street Methodist Church, Books of Remembrance for the Great War 1914 - 18. At St. Andrews UC, Chatham - January 2010, Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919) (LAC) (GOH additional information)

Height	5'7"
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	29 yrs. 1 mth.
Complexion	Medium
Hair	Brown
Race	white
Birthplace	Ratherhithe, London, England
Religion	Anglican
Last Place of Employment	Pelae Island
Average Earnings	2.75/day
Marital Status	married
When Enlisted	Jan 11, 1915
Where Enlisted	Chatham, Ontario

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