Albert Edward Cook

A Skipper with H.M. Drifter George V, Albert died on 3rd of June 1917 at the age of 37.

Albert was born at Kessingland on 11 October 1879, a son of Robert and Anna E. (aka Hannah) Cook. He was baptised at Saint Edmund’s Church, Kessingland, on 9 November 1879. In 1881 his family lived at Black Street, Gisleham. By 1891 they were living at Rushmere Road, Gisleham. In 1901 they were living at 2 Mill Hill, Gisleham, and Albert was a fisherman. Later his parents lived at 6 Elizabeth Terrace, Kessingland. 

On 20 January 1909 Albert married Cathagina Bird at Saint Edmund’s Church, Kessingland. Albert was a fisherman living at Gisleham and Cathagina lived at Kessingland. In 1911 they were living at 1 Providence Place, London Road, Kessingland, and later Cathagina lived at South View, Kessingland.

In 1910 Albert was awarded his certificate of competency as a skipper.

Albert joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 23 January 1915. He was the Skipper of the trawler King George V.

Albert was buried at Kessingland on 8 June 1917. A marginal note in the burial register states that on 3 June 1917 the trawler was ‘hauling’ mines in the Dover Strait when one blew up and sank the trawler. Eight men, including Albert, were killed and one man was wounded but survived. 

Albert’s brother Arthur also served on the King George V and died in the loss of the trawler.