Frederick Charles Cooke

A Gunner with 67 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Frederick died on 6 September 1944 at the age of 23. 

Frederick was born at Lowestoft on 19 June 1921, a son of Henry James and Emma Jane Cooke. In 1921 his family lived at 185 Clapham Road, and this was still their home in 1939 when Frederick worked and a wood machinist’s assistant, possibly at the same saw mill as his father.

Frederick enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1941, service number 1808654. On 21 August 1941 he was posted to serve with Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery. Frederick was posted to the 67th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. At present the date of this posting is not known. The regiment served in Egypt from September 1941 to January 1942, and from February 1942 in India and in October 1943 they joined 4 Corps at Imphal. From February 1942 his regiment was armed with 3.7 inch HAA guns with Matador (lorry) Tractors. 

Frederick and four other men of his unit died on 6 September 1944. Their Royal Artillery casualty cards states that they were all ‘battle casualties not due to enemy action.’ Frederick, and the other men, are buried in adjacent graves. 

With thanks to Andy Pearce.