Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Louisa Cook, born in the July quarter of 1868 in Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire (daughter of William Cook, 1824 and Mary Fletcher, 1827). Charles William was born in the July quarter of 1893 in Ashby de la Zouch. In March 1901 Charles was residing in the family home at the Paragon, Tamworth Road, Ashby de la Zouch, together with his step father, William Kilbourn a railway labourer, born in the July quarter of 1862 in Castle Donington, Leicestershire and baptised on the 27th August 1862 in Castle Donington (son of William Kilburn and Caroline Blower) and his mother Louisa Kilbourn (nee Cook, married on the 19th February 1901 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch) and his siblings, Beatrice Alice Bates, born on the 24th January 1887 and baptised on the 23rd March 1903 in St. Helen’s Church, Ashby de la Zouch, Marion Hannah, born in the April quarter of 1891, Dorothy, born in the April quarter of 1897 and Hector Robert, born on the 6th May 1900, all his siblings were born in Ashby de la Zouch, also residing with the family was a niece, Mary Patience Cook, a general domestic servant, born in the October quarter of 1884 in Ashby de la Zouch. In April 1911 Charles was employed as a domestic groom and was residing in the family home at Tamworth Road, Ashby de la Zouch, together with his step father a Midland Railway Company permanent way labourer, his mother and siblings, Marion, a hosiery trade worker, Dorothy a schoolgirl and Hector, a schoolboy and his half-blood siblings, Olive Kilbourn, a schoolgirl, born on the 4th October 1901, Norah Charlotte Kilbourn, a schoolgirl born in the July quarter of 1904 and baptised on the 2nd October 1904 in Holy Trinity Church, Ashby de la Zouch and William Arthur, Kilbourn, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1907, the latter three half-blood siblings were all born in Ashby de la Zouch.
FAMILY NOTE: Charles’ step father was born and officially recorded with the surname spelling of Kilbourn, this has been spelt variously as Kilborn and in the registration of his marriage as Kilburn.
Charles enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 10th August 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 10102. He gave his place of birth as Trinity, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire and age as 21 years 3 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as engineers mate.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Ashby de la Zouch on the 10th August 1914 and recorded his birthplace as Trinity, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, declared age as 21 years 3 months, trade or occupation as engineers. Enlisted at Ashby de la Zouch on the 10th August 1914. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 21 years 3 months, height 5-feet 10⅛ inches weight [no record] lbs, chest measurement of between 36½ and 39 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none]. He gave his religion as Baptist or Congregationalist.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 10th August 1914. Place Ashby de la Zouch.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Louisa Kilbourne, Paragon House, Ashby de la Zouch.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 10/8/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 10/8/14.
Posted. To 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 19/8/14.
Deprived of 5 days’ pay for “misconduct.” 2/6/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. Near Berles au Bois, France. 10/12/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 108/14 – 28/7/15. 353 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 10/12/15. 135 days.
Total Service. 1 year 123 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 10 Dec-15 - The weather continued to be bad. No. 10102 Private. W. COOK, “A” Company was killed. No. 10716 Private. W. PRICE, “D” Company was wounded. Owing to the state of the trenches the Battalion was relieved by 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT after 48 hours. Relief commenced at 5.30pm and the Battalion arrived in billets at 8.20pm.
On Friday, December 24th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page six, under the heading. – THE ROLL OF HONOUR. – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Intimation has been received by Mrs. Kilborn, of Tamworth-road, Ashby, of the death in action of her son, Private C. Cook, of the 6th Leicester’s, formerly employed by the Leicester County Council. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of the war. He was about 22 years of age.
[recognitum XXIX-XI-MMXXII]

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday December 31st, 1915

Ashby Soldier Killed

Mrs Kilburn, of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, has been notified that her eldest son, Private Charles W. Cook, was killed at the front on 19th December. The deceased enlisted in the 6th Leicesters soon after war broke out and was sent to France at mid-summer. He was 22 years of age, and very much respected. In her sad loss Mrs Kilburn will have the sympathy of the Ashby people.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 10/09/2017