Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Cook, an agricultural labourer, born 1839 in Thrussington, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Jane Cook (nee Lowe, married in the 2nd quarter of 1861 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 1842 in Queniborough, Leicestershire. John William was born on the 30th March 1882 in Queniborough, his siblings were, Elizabeth Ann, a stay maker, born 1862 in Thrussington, Mary Jane, a stocking maker, born 1867, Joseph, a railway plate layer, born 6th April 1869 and Arthur, an agricultural labourer, born 1st December 1877, the latter three siblings were all born in Queniborough, in April 1891 the family home was at Main Street, Queniborough. In March 1901 John was employed as a general labourer and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Queniborough, together with his father, a general labourer, his mother and siblings, Joseph, a general labourer and Arthur, a general labourer. In April 1911 John was absent from the family home at Main Street, Queniborough, residing there was his father, a jobbing gardener and his mother, John was employed as a general labourer and was residing in the family home at Mere Lane, Queniborough, together with his wife Kate Mildred Cook (nee Lewin, married in the 4th quarter of 1903 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district), born 4th April 1884 in Syston, Leicestershire, and their children, Phyllis May, born 5th March 1904 in Queniborough, Joseph William, born 1906 in Syston and Mildred Violet, born 1909 in Queniborough. John had an older brother Tom, who was born on the 9th May 1863 in Queniborough. John’s mother died on the 23rd June 1913 in Queniborough. John was registered at birth with the surname spelling of Cook, but also used the spelling Cooke. John was awarded the British War and Victory medals. John’s widow Kate married Thomas Pullen, in the 4th quarter of 1920 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district. Thomas was born on the 8th May 1898. In 1939 John’s remarried widow was residing in the family home at 44, Watson Street, Leicester, together with her husband Thomas Pullen, a public works contractors labourer, born 8th May 1898, their daughter Pearl D. Pullen, a hosiery machinist, born 3rd May 1921 and John’s son Ronald L., a hosiery general labourer, born 25th October 1914.
The War Diary records: 14 Dec-17 - TRENCHES CAMBRIN RIGHT. At 8.30am Battalion paraded and marched to trenches, relieving the 4th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGT at 11.15am. Trenches in very poor condition owing to bombardments. SAVILE TUNNEL blown in, in three places and by the main entrances. Right Company Headquarters and right platoon isolated. Centre Company Headquarters in NORTHAMPTON TRENCH which had been also fairly damaged. Left Company less battered though front line in poor condition. Dispositions as follows:- Right “C” Company (MOORE), centre “A” Company (BARROWCLIFFE), left “D” Coy (BROOKE), Reserve “B” Company (MEASURES). “C” Company Commander is not in touch with his left platoon and the original trench between L2 and L5 absolutely obliterated. Enemy very quiet all day. At 4.00pm party of MONMOUTHSHIRE REGT came to work on SAVILE ROW and to start digging a new trench from large sandbag spoil dump in BARTS ALLEY direct to SAVILE TUNNEL entrance. Enemy did not hinder work and was in fact remarkably quiet. At midday five shells fell on QUARRY ALLEY and LEFT BOYAU near Battalion Headquarters killing a Stretcher Bearer and one Signaller and wounding one Stretcher Bearer and Signal Sergeant. 2nd Lieutenant G. K. DUNLOP went to Army Camouflage Course. Lieutenant J. C. BARRETT went and Lieutenant R. W. EDGE returned from leave to England.
On Friday September 27th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “QUENIBOROUGH.” – MEMORIAL SERVICE. – A memorial service was held in the Parish Church on Thursday evening for Captain C. H. Woodhouse and 15 others from the parish who have fallen in the war, viz. Lieut. Brooks, Lieut. T. Fox, Edward Lowe, Alfred Lowe, William Glover, Sydney Crawford, Max Crawford, Percy Ogden, Charles Stiff, Harold Mansfield, Richard Mansfield, Isaac Bursnell, William Cook.