In Dunston (Christ Church) Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave of Tyneside Z/5377 Able Seaman Robert Cook serving on H.M.S. Pembroke with Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who died 14/02/1919.

Dunston Christ Church burials are now commemorated at Saltwell Cemetery Gateshead.

Mark Boyd contributed the following: –

Robert was born on 28 Oct 1896 in Bill Quay, Gateshead to Thomas Cook, a Waterman, and his wife Margaret.

in 1901 he was living with his parents and 3 brothers and 3 sisters at Stokoe Square, Dunston.

Ten years later he was living with his widower father (Margaret died in the December qtr in 1910 in Newcastle upon Tyne) 2 brothers, a sister-in-law and a boarder at 16 West View Terrace, Dunston.

Robert enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 21st June 1915 when his occupation was listed as Labourer. He was drafted on 5th December 1915 to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force where he joined the Drake Battalion at Mudros on 10th January 1916.

On 17th September 1916 he was hospitalised with a gun shot wound to his right hand. On 27th September 1916 he was invalided to the UK.

On 19th April 1918 he was transferred to the Royal Naval Depot at Chatham.

Robert died of Influenza and Pneumonia in Royal Naval Hospital Chatham.

Pauline Priano has submitted the following;

Robert Cook was the youngest of 6 children and he had a half brother. His mother Margaret Watson was born in the fishing village of North Sunderland, Northumberland in circa 1857. She was married at St. John the Baptist Church, Newcastle upon Tyne, during the 3rd quarter, (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1876 to Joseph Dyas who originated from Lincolnshire where he was born in 1853. Their son Charles Dyas was born at Birtley in the district of Chester le Street, County Durham during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1880, but sadly James Dyas died later that year when Charles was just an infant. Charles was known by the surname of Cook until he married using his true surname Dyas.

Margaret went on to meet Thomas Cook, native of Benton, Northumberland, where he was born in 1857. They were married at Newcastle upon Tyne in 1884, settling at Dunston, Gateshead, historically in County Durham. Their daughter Margaret was born, September 14th 1884, John 1886, Rose Ann 1888 and Martha in 1890, whilst they were living at Stokoe’s Square. Thomas supported his family employed as a barge waterman. Thomas Jnr was born, February 4th 1893 and Robert, October 28th 1896.

Margaret Cook-Dyas nee Watson died in 1910 in her mid forties. In 1911 widower Thomas Cook occupied three rooms at 16, West View Terrace, Dunston. Thomas Jnr (18) and Robert (14) were both employed as labourers, Thomas for a rivet manufacturer, Robert at the candle works. Their brother John (24) and his wife Elizabeth (24) also lived in the household, they had been married 6 years and their only child was listed as deceased. Thomas Snr and his son John (24) were both employed by an engineering works as a waterman and a driller respectively. 

When Britain declared a state of war existed with Germany, August 4th 1914, all regiments were ordered to raise new battalions and men from all walks of life volunteered in answer to Kitchener’s call to arms. Robert was still too young to enlist but did so once he turned 18 years of age, June 26th 1915, posted to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as Able Seaman Tyneside Z/5377. 

The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve was formed in 1914 from the Royal Navy, Royal Marine Reservists and men who were surplus to the requirements of the Army, an idea of Winston Churchill. First Lord of the Admiralty. Consisting of 8 battalion, named after former naval officers, they were, Drake, Benbow, Hawke, Collingwood, Nelson, Howe, Anson and Hood.

Trained in England at the shore base HMS Pembroke I, Able Seaman Cook was drafted as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, December 5th 1915, arriving at Mudros, he was posted to Drake Battalion, part of the 63rd Division, January 10th 1916, where it participated during the Gallipoli campaign. When the division transferred from the authority of the Admiralty to the War Office, April 29th 1916, it became known as the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. 

Withdrawn from the peninsular the division was sent to France, arriving at Marseilles, May 12th-23rd 1916 for service on the Western Front. Able Seaman Cook was wounded, September 17th 1916, a gun shot wound to his right hand and repatriated to the U.K. September 27th. It is unclear if he returned to rejoin his regiment but was transferred to the Royal Naval Depot at Chatham, Kent, April 19th 1918.

Although he had survived his time at the front Able Seaman TZ/55377 Robert Cook fell victim to the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. He died of influenza and pneumonia at the Royal Naval Hospital Chatham, February 14th 1919. Robert was 22 years of age and single. Awards; 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

At the request of his family and paid for by them, the Army organised that his body was transported to his home where his was buried within Dunston Christ Church Cemetery, grave West 2. 7. His brother John living at 14, West View Terrace, Dunston, commissioned, at a cost of 3 shillings 9 pence, an inscription to be added which reads, “THY WILL BE DONE.” 

Christ Church was demolished in 1978 and all gravestones removed although the internments were left undisturbed. In order to honour Able Seaman Cook and the 8 other war dead buried there a CWGC Special Memorial was erected, April 14th 1982, at Gateshead (Saltwell) Cemetery, Low Fell, Gateshead, historically County Durham, now Tyne & Wear.

Robert’s brother Thomas Cook Jnr also served with the R.N.V.R. and survived the conflict.

Thomas Cook Snr. died within months of his son during the 3rd quarter (Jul/Aug/Sep) 1916, registered at Gateshead, County Durham, he was 60 years of age.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Robert Cook is remembered at Dunston Hill on D31.01, at Gateshead on G39.062 and in our List of Ships’ Crews.