FRANK HERBERT COOK
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Photograph courtesy of Adrian
Image from the Evening Star – 9th April 1942.
Born: 9th September 1905, Ipswich.
Died: 25th August 1943; age: 42; Japanese PoW – Thailand – Burma Railway.
Captured: 15th February 1942 – Fall of Singapore.
Residence: 308, Landseer Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: Painter.
Rank: Corporal; Service Number: 5826596.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion – Infantry.
Grave Reference:
B3.X.15.
Thanbyuzayat,
Mon State,
Burma.
Image courtesy of Kevin Knights.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Walter & Martha Cook, of Ipswich; husband of Ivy Georgina Cook, of Ipswich.
CENSUS
1911 177, Spring Road, Ipswich.
Frank was 5 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Walter Cook, 41, a Baker’s Labourer – Co-operative Society, born Ipswich.
Martha Louisa Cook (nee Collins), 38, born Ipswich.
Stanley Harold Cook, 14, a Garden Boy – Domestic, born Ipswich.
William Thomas Cook, 11, born Ipswich.
Gladys Victoria Cook, 9, born Ipswich.
Arthur Charles Cook, 7, born Ipswich.
Cecil Cook, 4, born Ipswich.
Doris May Cook, 4, born Ipswich.
Evelyn Cook, 2, born Ipswich.
Sidney Cook, 7 months, born Ipswich.
In 1926, Ipswich, Frank married Ivy Georgina Balls, born April 1903, Ipswich – daughter of George Hedley Rix Balls, a printer, and Valentina Balls (nee Gooderham), of Ipswich.
Ivy and Frank had three children:
Jean L. V. Cook, born 1926, Ipswich.
Thelma M. Cook, born 1930, Ipswich.
Derek F. W. Cook, born 1932, Ipswich.
On the ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939, Frank’s wife, Ivy and their 3 children were living at their family home – 308, Landseer Road, Ipswich. Ivy’s father, and sister were also living at their home.
George Hedley Rix Balls, an Old Age Pensioner, born January 1867, Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Violet Margaret Phyllis Ball, a Shop Assistant – Woolworths, born March 1913, Ipswich.
Probate to Ivy Georgina Cook – widow.
Frank’s brother, William Thomas Cook lost his life in the First World War when he was KiA on the 7th August 1918, aged 19. William was ranked a Private, service number 50113, of the 6th Battalion of the Northamptonshire Regiment. He was laid to rest at Dive Copse-le-Sec, Somme, France.
Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.
The Battalion was attached to the 18th East Anglian Division (including the 4/5th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment).
15 February 1942: After the fall of Singapore, approximately 620 of the Battalions were taken PoW and later mostly died on the Burma-Thailand Railway.
SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
Herbert’s portrait and profile will be displayed at a V.J. Day exhibition “Be Ye Men of Valour” from Saturday, 9th August to Monday, 25th August (Bank Holiday) 2025, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich, IP4 2BT.
Leave a Reply