Pauline Priano has submitted the following:
Thomas Cook Jnr was one 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 Days 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 14th 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. Men from all walks of life volunteered in answer to Kitchener’s call to arms. Thomas Cook Jnr enlisted, April 26th 1915, posted to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as Able Seaman Tyneside Z/2993.
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 Able Seaman Thomas Cook was drafted as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force posted to Anson Battalion, part of the 63rd Division, he served 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 Thomas Cook was wounded and repatriated to the U.K. November 11th 1916. Once recovered he was transferred to the Royal Marine Submarine Miners, November 21st as Private CH/2596/S.
Thomas Cook Jnr survived the conflict of WW1 unlike his brother Able Seaman Robert Cook. Although Robert survived his time in combat he died of influenza and pneumonia at Chatham Hospital in the U.K. February 14th 1919 His father Thomas Cook Snr died 7 months later.
Post-war Thomas returned to civilian life and his employment as a soap worker at the Cooperative Wholesale Society Soap Works, Colliery Road, Dunston. In 1921 he was living with his unmarried aunt Martha Jane Watson and her brother, his unmarried uncle Thomas Watson at 9, Mill Street, Dunston.
Thomas was married to Pamela Monkman who was born at Newcastle upon Tyne, August 17th 1899. She was the daughter of businessman for his own account, drum maker John Monkman and Amy Emma Booth with whom he had a son and a daughter. Pamela gave birth to their daughter Margaret E Cook in 1922 and a son Thomas in 1928.
In 1939 they and their children2 were living at 27, Holly Avenue, Dunston which became their permanent home.
Thomas Cook Jnr resident of 27, Holly Avenue, Dunston died March 21st 1951, registered at Durham North Western including Gateshead, Lanchester and Chester le Street and is at rest within Garden House Cemetery, Market Lane, Dunston.
His widow Pamela was assigned his assets in the sum of £384 13 shillings 8 pence April 19th 1951. Pamela Cook nee Monkman died in 1990 registered in the district of Gateshead, Tyne and Wear since 1974.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
