Family Background

Arthur Ernest Cooke was born in Coventry on 10th May 1882, the son of Arthur Edward Cooke, a Railways Goods’ Porter, and his wife Ann Eliza née Malin. By 1901 Arthur Ernest had followed in his father’s foot steps and was employed by the Railways as a Parcels’ Porter. On the 30th November 1907 he married Alice Rose Girling. Their first daughter, Gladys, was born on 4th September 1908 and her sister, Elsie, on 4th June 1911.

 

World War 1

Arthur served with the Royal Engineers from 24th April 1916 until 26th March 1919.

 

World War 2

The 1939 census shows that after WW1 Arthur returned to working on the railways. It was here that he was working when WW2 broke out. The census also indicates that he may have been a member of the ARP.

Beginning on 9 August 1940 the German Luftwaffe began subjecting Birmingham to heavy bombing. The first air raid on the city was carried out by a single aircraft which dropped its bombs on Erdington. One person was killed, and six injured. On 13 August the aircraft factory in Castle Bromwich was attacked. Eleven bombs hit the main target causing significant damage. 7 people were killed, and 41 injured.

The Commonwealth War Graves records Arthur as having been injured at New Street Station on 24th October and having died of his injuries in the General Hospital the following day.

Of the many civilians of the Commonwealth whose deaths were due to enemy action in the 1939-1945 War, the names of more than 67,000 are commemorated in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour, located near St. George’s Chapel in Westminster Abbey, London.