William Thomas Cook

member id. 032

The following information comes via the 1891 census...

William was living at 26 Oakdale Road, Leyton, Leytonstone, London E11

The 'head of the household' was his father, William T. Cook - aged 33 - Occupation 'Firewood Cutter' - Born 'Mile End' (Y.O.B. - c.1858)

Wife of William sr. is Maria (aged 30) (Y.O.B. - c.1861) - Occupation 'none stated' - Born 'Stepney'

Also living there were the following children:

William J. Bishop - aged 10 - Occupation 'Scholar' - Born 'Bow' (presumably Maria's son from a previous marriage) (Y.O.B. - c.1881)

George A. Bishop - aged 8? - Occupation 'Scholar' - Born 'Bethnal Green' (presumably Maria's son from a previous marriage) (Y.O.B. - c.1883)

William T. Cook - aged 7? - Occupation 'Scholar' - Born 'Bethnal Green' (Y.O.B. - c.1884)

Sarah J. Cook - aged 6 - Occupation 'Scholar' - Born 'Bethnal Green' (Y.O.B. - c.1885)

Alice ?. Cook - aged ? (unreadable) - Occupation - Born 'Leytonstone' (Y.O.B. - c.????)

The following comes from the 1901 census

1901 census William was 17 years old and living at 57 Elliotts Row, St George The Martyr Southwark London

Living with him were:

His step mother, Maria, and her new husband, John Lee.

Maria's 18 year old son, George Bishop, from a relationship previous to her marriage to William's father (also William)

William's 16 year old sister, Sarah Cook.

His 10 year old half sister, Alice Cook.

Williams occupation is listed as 'Toy Shop Assistant'.

And this information comes from Bampa's grand-daughter, Beryl Shepherd (was Deacon and Starmer) (nee Knott)...

William was the owner of 'Acme Printing Works' in Caterham, Surrey, UK.

He employed Headley Knight. The family connection between them was that Headley was first cousin of Georgina Cook (William's wife). The factory printed picture post cards and cigarette cards. During World War II, it is understood that the factory was secretly responsible for printing the little cards depicting French coastline sillouettes which were issued to naval personnel involved in the "D-Day landings". As a child, Beryl [Grandaughter] was allowed to sit on the knee of Miss Brown [Secretary] and play with the typewriter! She went on to a career as a Secretary culminating in being a Senior PA in Education - from little acorns......................!

(info updated by Julie Starmer, September 2009)