Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Tholbourne John (Jack) Cook -

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, May 14, 1915 Page 5

THE MARRIAGE of Miss Gertrude Hess (daughter of Mr. George Hess), of St. Catherine's Street and Private Cook, a Wroxall man, of the Isle of Wight Rifles, took place at the United Methodist Church yesterday in the presence of a good number of relatives and friends.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, July 23, 1915 Page 5

Local Marriages.
ARNOLD - DENNIS
The marriage took place, by special licence, at the United Methodist Church on Saturday, of Private Harold Samuel Arnold, of the Isle of Wight Rifles, and Miss Nellie Beatrice Dennis, eldest daughter of Mrs. T. Dennis, of Ventnor. The wedding was a quiet one, owing to the recent death of the bride's father. The bride, who was attired in a white and grey costume, was given away by her brother, Bugler A.A.H. Dennis, and the bridesmaids were Miss Abbott, of Rowbrorough, and Miss Bessie Wheeler, cousin. Rifleman John Cook was best man. The ceremony, which was witnessed by several relatives and friends, was performed by the Rev. A.P. Sherwin, in the absence of the Rev. R.J. Pollard. It was quite a military wedding, and aroused much interest among the numerous friends of both parties. The wedding cake was supplied by Mr. Ralph White, and the bouquets by Mr. Gee.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, September 24, 1915 Page 5

Ventnor Man Killed in Action.

News has been received on Monday of the death of Corporal J. Cook, husband of Mrs. Cook, of 6, St. Catherine's Street (née Miss Gertrude Hess). Corporal Cook was formerly employed at Lacey's Farm, Wroxall, where his parents reside. Pathetic circumstances connected with the death are that Corporal Cook was married only about four months ago, and his wife had a letter from him saying he was in the best of health by the same post as she received the following letter and tribute from Captain J.F.H. Marsh, of Shanklin, giving information concerning his death: -

1/8th Hants Regiment,
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force,
September 3rd, 1915.
Dear Mrs. Cook, - It is with the deepest regret that I have to tell you that your husband, Corporal Cook, was killed to-day whilst on duty with his section. Your grief will, I know, be very great, and my whole heart goes out to you in your sorrow. Your husband was one of my best N.C.O.'s, always willing and cheerful, popular with his men, and I always knew that I could rely implicitly upon him. It may be some comfort to you to know that his death was quite painless, and that we buried him near the camp this evening. The Rev. Edwards was the officiating minister. We have marked the grave with a cross. I know this letter will seem very formal, but I am sure that when time has to some extent effaced the first and worst of the blow it will be some consolation to you to know that your husband died gallantly doing his duty for his King and country, and that the sympathy of the whole of A Company, in fact, the whole Battalion, is with you in this, your awful trial.
Believe me to be,
Yours in deepest sympathy,
J.F.H. MARSH, Captain
O.C. A Coy., 1/8th Hants Regt.

Mrs. Cook desires to thank all enquiring friends for their sympathy in her bereavement.

Isle of Wight County Press

Saturday, September 25, 1915

Corpl. Thorburn John (Jack) Cook, A Co., youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Cook, of Wroxall, who was killed by a sniper in the trenches on the 3rd inst., was 25 years of age, and was married in May. His wife is living at St. Catherine's-street, Ventnor. Before the war he was employed at Lacey's Farm, Wroxall. He was promoted from Lance-corporal to Corporal on the way out, and his captain, in writing home to his wife, speaks very highly of deceased as a good soldier, and expresses the deep regret of all ranks at his death. Deceased's elder brother, Albert Edward, is serving in the R.A.M.C. in France.

The report repeats the letter from Capt. Marsh quoted above

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, June 28, 1940 Page 2

FORMER VENTNORIAN'S DEATH AT BIRMINGHAM. - We regret to announce the death of Mrs. Gertrude Kirk, youngest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. G. Hess, of Ventnor, which occurred on Thursday in last week at her home at Erdington, Birmingham. Mrs. Kirk, who was a sister of Mr. Wilfred Hess, of Clarence Road, was formerly a teacher at the Roman Catholic School at Ventnor. She leaves a husband and four children. Mrs. Kirk's first husband - Mr. John T. Cooke, of Wroxall - was killed in action at Gallipoli in the Great War. Mr. W. Hess was present at the funeral on Tuesday. It is only recently that we recorded the death of his elder brother, Mr. Percy Hess, at Southampton.