Private Walter W Cook

Walter (Wally) William Cook was the son of William Walter, a Game Keeper, and Mary Ann (Hanner) Cook. He was born in Hartley Witney, Hampshire, the youngest of three and the only son. He met his future wife, Eileen Hudson whilst she was in the Land Army and they married on 27 January 1944 at St John’s Church, Newland, Hull. Their daughter, Judith, was born on 15 July 1945. Walter enlisted in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry in November 1933 and spent some time in India before the war when he volunteered for airborne forces. Private Cook successfully completed glider training and was posted to 2nd (Airborne) Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry and took part in Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing). Pte Cook was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 31, and was given a field burial at Hamminkeln and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery on 17 April 1947. If you are part of Pte Cook’s family and would like to complete this biography, you can apply to the Curator to do so. To do this you will need to become a member of ParaData and select the 'friend or family member' option on the registration form. If you would like to find out more about becoming a member please visit our registration page. Members of ParaData can submit their material by clicking on the 'Add content to this article' button on the right.