Christopher was born on 16th June 1899 to Doctor Arthur Cooke and Lucy Collyer and lived at 69 Bridge Street (see photo), Cambridge along with his younger sister, parents, family members and four servants at the time of the 1901 census.
He was in attendance as a pupil at St Peter’s Court, Broadstairs during the 1911 census and later at Royal Naval Colleges Osborne and Dartmouth.
TRAINING ESTABLISHMENT - May 1912 - Aug 1914
HMS ABOUKIR - Aug 1914 - 22/09/1914, sunk by German Submarine U9 after it was torpedoed
HMS VANGUARD - 25/10/1914 - 09/07/1917, serving during the Battle of Jutland. His Commanding Officer wrote: He was such an exceptionally brilliant young officer and I know Captain Dick had a very high opinion of him - so much so that he especially selected him for his personal staff in action.
It is uncertain where his Star, Victory and British war medals were issued to. He is remembered locally on the Blakeney War Memorial along with shipmate Vincent Bullen as well as nationally on the Chatham Naval Memorial. A ship mate, Robert Balding, is also mentioned on the Blakeney memorial, after he was killed on HMS Aboukir, on which Christopher survived.
#36 - 186/843
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
1901 & 1911 England Census
UK, Royal Naval Officers' Service Records Index, 1756-1931
Navy Lists, 1888-1970 Peter Singlehurst; Year: 1916
De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour, 1914-1919
CWGC Register
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 89
Photo courtesy of De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, Google Maps and Roll of Honour.com
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