Photo: Sydney Graham

Sidney Graham has submitted the following:

Matthew Cook joined the RAF early in World War 2 and, in July he was serving at RAF Finningley, near Doncaster. He was attached to 106 Squadron and was part of a ground gun crew tasked with defending the airfield. At this time, many of the Finningley personnel were living in tents spread around the perimeter of the airfield, a precaution against German bombing raids. On the night of 6th July 1940 a Hampden bomber, L4181, returning from exercise, made a fast landing and overshot the runway. It ploughed into the tented accommodation and killed three airmen, among them Matthew Cook. He was 20 years old.

Matthew Cook is remembered in Cramlington on C60.03

The CWGC entry for Aircraftman 2nd Class Cook