Feb 3, 1885

Born in Osborne, Ontario

Mar 26, 1916

Attested into the 91^st Battalion in St. Thomas, Ontario

Ø      Number 190114

Ø      Next of kin given as Ethel Mary Cook, wife, 17 Railway St., St. Thomas, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Fireman

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “D” Company

On attestation he stated that he had 3 children

Jun 29, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic in Halifax, Nova Scotia

Jul 6, 1916

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the battalion proceeded to the Otterpool Camp

Jul 15, 1916

The battalion moved to the West Sandling Camp where Private Cook was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 39^th Reserve Battalion

Sep 19, 1916

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) at West Sandling and admitted to the Monks Horton Hospital diagnosed with Rheumatism and placed on light duties

Nov 17, 1916

Transferred back to the 39^th Reserve Battalion and declared fit for full duty

Jan 4, 1917

Transferred to the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

Apr 17, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Apr 18, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 85 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Apr 21, 1917

Left the CBD to join his battalion

May 5, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in Division Support, near Vimy Ridge

There is no explanation in the file as to why it took a little over 2 weeks for him to join the battalion

Jul 11, 1917

Private Cook received shrapnel wounds to his face and left eye during and artillery barrage while in the support trench near Lens.  He was admitted to the nearby field ambulance for first aid

Jul 13, 1917

He was transferred to the No. 22 General Hospital in Camiers for treatment

Jul 27, 1917

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Ville de Liege

Posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) while in hospital

Admitted to the Military Hospital in Shorncliffe

Aug 29, 1917

Transferred to the Monks Horton Canadian Convalescent Hospital

Sep 27, 1917

Discharged from hospital and posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

Dec 27, 1917

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Dec 28, 1917

Arrived at the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France as part of a draft of 297 reinforcements from England

Jan 1, 1918

Joined the CC Rein C (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Calonne Ricouart, France

Jan 20, 1918

Left the CC Rein C to join his battalion

Jan 21, 1918

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the support trenches near La Coulotte, south of Lens

Jan 25, 1918

After moving into the front line trench at Avion, about ½ mile west of the support trench previously held, Private Cook was killed in action

La Targette British Cemetery
Aux Reitz, France

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. Ethel M. Cook, 103 Sarah St., Brantford, Ontario.

A Memorial Cross was also sent to his mother, Mrs. Hannah Cook, St. Marys, Ontario

He is also commemorated on the St. Marys Ontario War Memorial