Second Lieutenant Charles Reginald Cooke
Death from Influenza February 1919
Charles and Ethel Cooke died within a couple of days of each other during the Flu pandemic at the end of WWI, they are buried together in Swinton Cemetery quite close to the main entrance.
Charles Reginald Cooke born 1892 Pendlebury. He married Ethel Kate Halford (3) 1915.
Parents Joseph Cooke (1) born 1869 Swinton and Agnes Barnett (2) born 1868 Swinton. Married in 1891.
Siblings Beatrice born 1896 Pendlebury, Agnes Evelyn born 1897 Pendlebury, twins - Herbert Barnett (died age 3 months, also buried in Swinton Cemetery) Edith Winifred born 1901 Pendlebury, on the 1901 census the twins are three days old.
1901 census the family are living at 556 Bolton Road Pendlebury, Joseph Cooke lists his occupation as Journalist/Author.
1919 Joseph and Agnes are living at "Clovelly" Liverpool Road Cadishead.
In 1919 Charles and Ethel's home was "Ashfield" 203 Liverpool Road, Irlam.
Charles Reginald Cooke was employed as an engineer at the Partington Steel and Iron Company. The works were at the Partington basin on the Manchester Ship Canal . As WWI broke and at the request of the Ministry of Munitions, significant expansion of the works began, including an extra 3 blast furnaces, 152 by-product coke ovens, 5 Siemens open hearth furnaces and rolling mills, 3 electric furnaces as well as steel casting plant, giving total capacity of 7000 to 8000 tons per week for the war effort.
Charles Reginald Cooke born 1892 Pendlebury. He married Ethel Kate Halford (3) 1915.
Parents Joseph Cooke (1) born 1869 Swinton and Agnes Barnett (2) born 1868 Swinton. Married in 1891.
Siblings Beatrice born 1896 Pendlebury, Agnes Evelyn born 1897 Pendlebury, twins - Herbert Barnett (died age 3 months, also buried in Swinton Cemetery) Edith Winifred born 1901 Pendlebury, on the 1901 census the twins are three days old.
1901 census the family are living at 556 Bolton Road Pendlebury, Joseph Cooke lists his occupation as Journalist/Author.
1919 Joseph and Agnes are living at "Clovelly" Liverpool Road Cadishead.
In 1919 Charles and Ethel's home was "Ashfield" 203 Liverpool Road, Irlam.
Charles Reginald Cooke was employed as an engineer at the Partington Steel and Iron Company. The works were at the Partington basin on the Manchester Ship Canal . As WWI broke and at the request of the Ministry of Munitions, significant expansion of the works began, including an extra 3 blast furnaces, 152 by-product coke ovens, 5 Siemens open hearth furnaces and rolling mills, 3 electric furnaces as well as steel casting plant, giving total capacity of 7000 to 8000 tons per week for the war effort.
Charles immediately enlisted for the army as a private at the outbreak of war and was associated for a time with the 6th Manchesters. He was soon granted a commission and joined the Loyal North Lancashires. Before being posted to the front he spent some time at Felixstowe where air raids frequently happened. During the offensive on the Somme he was wounded and suffered shell shock. Charles failed to sufficiently recover preventing his return to active duties, he resigned his commission.
Charles Reginald Cooke. Photograph appeared in the local Journal
In February 1919 Charles was stricken by Influenza, Pneumonia aggravated the condition, coupled with the effects of his war service he sadly passed away on the 12th February 1919.
The funeral service was held at the Wesleyan Church, Irlam where he was a regular worshipper. Three buglers honoured him with a rendition of The Last Post during the service. He was highly regarded throughout the local neighbourhood, and remembered as the first locally commissioned officer. His grave is recognised and recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Two days following the funeral of Charles his wife Ethel also passed away. She had been unable to attend her husbands funeral as she herself was unwell , but her sudden collapse within two days of his burial was perhaps quite unexpected. Ethel had also been suffering from Influenza and appeared to have been recovering, however her husbands passing proved too much for her. Ethel was buried a few days later, also in Swinton Cemetery.
National Probate Calendar (Index Of Wills And Administration)
Cooke, Charles Reginald of 203 Liverpool Road Irlam Lancashire. Lieutenant His Majesty's Army died 12th February 1919, Administration (with will) London 22nd October 1919 to the public trustee. Effects £244, 13s. 7d.
(1) Joseph Cooke born 1869 Swinton.
Parents Joseph Cooke born 1842 Worsley and Alice born 1845 Winton.
Siblings Alfred Charles born 1865 Worsley, Sarah born 1871 Swinton, George born 1886 Swinton.
1891 census the family are living Moorside Road Swinton.
(2) Agnes Barnett born 1868 Swinton.
Parents George Barnett born 1834 Worsley, occupation Boat Builder, Jane born 1835 Worsley.
Siblings William Henry born 1863 Swinton, Ellen born 1865 Swinton, Sarah born 1870 Swinton, Thomas born 1873 Swinton, George Charles born 1876 Swinton.
1891 census the family are living Moorside Road Swinton.
(3) Ethel Kate Halford born in Cheadle Staffordshire, the daughter of John Evans Halford born 1885, Salop and Rosamond Wrench Burrell born 1886 Norfolk, John and Rosamond married in 1884 at Walsingham. John Evan Halford was a Weslyan minister and served and various churches throughout England. At one point the Superintendant of Cadishead Wesleyan Church, when the couple died he wasresiding at Howden, East Yorkshire.
The funeral service was held at the Wesleyan Church, Irlam where he was a regular worshipper. Three buglers honoured him with a rendition of The Last Post during the service. He was highly regarded throughout the local neighbourhood, and remembered as the first locally commissioned officer. His grave is recognised and recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Two days following the funeral of Charles his wife Ethel also passed away. She had been unable to attend her husbands funeral as she herself was unwell , but her sudden collapse within two days of his burial was perhaps quite unexpected. Ethel had also been suffering from Influenza and appeared to have been recovering, however her husbands passing proved too much for her. Ethel was buried a few days later, also in Swinton Cemetery.
National Probate Calendar (Index Of Wills And Administration)
Cooke, Charles Reginald of 203 Liverpool Road Irlam Lancashire. Lieutenant His Majesty's Army died 12th February 1919, Administration (with will) London 22nd October 1919 to the public trustee. Effects £244, 13s. 7d.
(1) Joseph Cooke born 1869 Swinton.
Parents Joseph Cooke born 1842 Worsley and Alice born 1845 Winton.
Siblings Alfred Charles born 1865 Worsley, Sarah born 1871 Swinton, George born 1886 Swinton.
1891 census the family are living Moorside Road Swinton.
(2) Agnes Barnett born 1868 Swinton.
Parents George Barnett born 1834 Worsley, occupation Boat Builder, Jane born 1835 Worsley.
Siblings William Henry born 1863 Swinton, Ellen born 1865 Swinton, Sarah born 1870 Swinton, Thomas born 1873 Swinton, George Charles born 1876 Swinton.
1891 census the family are living Moorside Road Swinton.
(3) Ethel Kate Halford born in Cheadle Staffordshire, the daughter of John Evans Halford born 1885, Salop and Rosamond Wrench Burrell born 1886 Norfolk, John and Rosamond married in 1884 at Walsingham. John Evan Halford was a Weslyan minister and served and various churches throughout England. At one point the Superintendant of Cadishead Wesleyan Church, when the couple died he wasresiding at Howden, East Yorkshire.
© Susan Tydd 2022
Please do not reproduce without permission
Please do not reproduce without permission