Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Cooke a shoe trade riveter, born 1859 in Cropston, Leics., and his wife Eliza, born 1861 in Anstey, Leics. Robert was born in 1895 in Anstey, Leics., his siblings were, George A., born 1885, John W., born 1886, Annie M., born 1888, Thomas Henry, born 1890, Emily, born 1899 and Albert, born 1899, all his siblings were born in Anstey, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Church Lane, Anstey, Leics. In April 1911 Robert was employed as a boot trade clicker and was residing in the family home at Cropston Road, Anstey, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Thomas, Emily, Albert and Lilian, born 1903 in Anstey, Leics.