Derek Johnstone has provided the following:
William Cook was born about 1883 at Ryhope in County Durham.
In 1901, William Cook was 19 years old and living at Whitehouse Cottages, Sunderland with his widowed mother Sarah Cook who was born at Windy Nook in County Durham. Also in the household was his younger brother Fred, aged 10. At this time William was employed as a labourer.
The 1911 Census records William as living at 9, Beech Grove, West Ryton on Tyne in the Registration District of Gateshead with his widowed mother. William, aged 28, was employed as a stoneman in the coal mines and single.
Military records show William enlisted at Newcastle and his Pension Index Card only lists his mother Sarah Cook, indicating he did not marry.
William Cook is remembered in Ryton on R33.01, and in Clara Vale on C96.01
