Percy COOKE Private 6/4224, 6 th Durham Light Infantry & Private 5/7176, 9 th Durham Light Infantry. Died 1 st September 1923. Percy Cooke was born in Liversedge in West Yorkshire on the 5 th January 1896. By the time of the 1911 Census the family had moved to Country Durham, first to Evenwood and then to Howden-le-Wear, Percy's father now holding a senior position at the bye-product section of Bowden Close Colliery at Helmington Row, where Percy also worked. Percy enlisted in the 6 th Durham Light Infantry on the 14 th August 1915. later transferring to the 9 th Durham Light Infantry. In1916 the 9 th DLI took part in various phases of the Battle of the Somme, which started on the 1 st July. Fighting was fierce, often in atrocious conditions, a desperate battle for the 9 th DLI coming on the 5 th November 1916. The DLI sustained heavy losses and were forced to withdraw. This desperate battle marked the end of Percy's active role in the war. He was captured, at Le Serre, and was to spend the rest of the war in various Prisoner of War camps. The Prisoner of War records show that Percy spent various periods of his time as a prisoner in different hospitals. Several of the records show that he was unwounded, so his periods in hospital could not have been as a result of any injury. However, we know from personal testimony that he eventually returned home after the war suffering from tuberculosis. Is it reasonable to assume, therefore, that his periods in hospital were as a result of the start of his illness, and the deterioration in his medical condition? Following his repatriation Percy was eventually discharged from the army on the 29 th May 1919. Although he was engaged to be married to Ethel (Ettie) Raine, he did not, in fact, marry owing to his illness which led to his early death. Ethel helped to nurse him, and he died on the 1 st September 1923, and is buried in the churchyard of St Mary's Church in Howden-le- Wear. Although he survived the war, Percy Cooke was nevertheless a casualty of the war as a result of the illness which he developed while serving in the army, and which led to his early death at the age of only 27.

Remembering Our Fallen

Howden-le-Wear History Society

Percy Cooke. Images courtesy of Joyce Charlton

The front of the medal with shield and initials ‘PC’, given to Percy Cooke by his workmates at Bowden Close Colliery. The back of the medal is inscribed: ‘Bowden Close Bye Product Plant presented to Private. P. Cooke, D.L.I. by fellow workmen for Army Service during War 1914 - 1918’