William George Cooke
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
At the time he attested in Canada he gave his next of kin as his father, William J Cooke, of 61 Westville Street, Nottingham. William emigrated to Canada in 1913, sponsored by Oliver Hind's juvenile emigration scheme, where he would have spent time at Dakeyne's Farm, Nova Scotia, where he would have been taught agricultural skills.
A photograph exists of William in the uniform of the Canadian Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). He attested in Montreal on 9 August 1915 and sailed to England onboard SS Adriatic from Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 31 March 1916, arriving in England on 10 April 1916. He was promoted to corporal on 19 May 1916. The unit embarked for France on 12 August 1916 and disembarked at Le Havre the following day. He was dangerously wounded on 17 March 1917 and died in a casualty clearing station in Rouen the next day. He was buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension (grave ref I.G.22). Qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Post obituary (abridged), 20 March 1917: 'Cooke. died of wounds March 18th. Corporal William George Cooke, Canadian Highlanders.' Nottingham Post obituary (abridged), 2 May 1917: 'Corporal WG Cooke (Canadians), 51 Westville Street, Nottingham, died of wounds March 18th aged 20.' [Westville Street was his father's address] In memoriam published in the Nottingham Evening Post 18th March 1919 :- “COOKE. – In loving memory of our dear son, Cpl. W. G. Cooke (Willie), 73rd Canadian Highlanders, died of wounds, in France, March 18th, 1917. – From his ever loving mother, father, sisters, and brother. Ever in our thoughts.” Above in memoriam courtesy of Jim Grundy William is commemorated on a memorial in the church of Christ Church at Windsor, Nova Scotia; nine members of the congregation died in the war.
