PERCY R ROOK 1890–1981
With permission from granddaughter in Oregon
Born 3rd August 1890 in Carlton, Notts.
Baptised 21st September 1890 St Paul’s Church, Carlton in the Willows
Married 14 October 1911 at the Wesleyan Chapel in Radcliffe on Trent to Mabel Louie Howard from Radcliffe on Trent. Three children, Kenneth Howard born 17 February 1912, Thomas Percy born 25 July 1914 and Constance Lilian born 5 October 1915.
Died 1981 in Los Angeles
1891 Census
Age 8 months living on Main Street, Carlton with father Robert, a groom, mother Alice, brother Robert 4 and sister Martha 9.
1901 Census
Age 12 living at 7 Smith Street, Wollaton with parents and siblings Robert 14, an errand boy, Ralph 3 and Lilian 6.
1911 Census
Age 20 lodging with George and Elizabeth Butler on Main Road, Radcliffe on Trent and employed as a gardener.
Military Service
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service Number: 25043
Military Unit: 9th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers), Prince of Wales’s (North Staffordshire) Regiment, 37th Division
Theatre of War: France and Flanders
8.8.17–18.8.17: Dental caries; unspecified location
At that date he had been 4 months with Field Force
Medals Awarded: British War and Victory
Other information
He sewed an embroidery while recovering from wounds, for which there are no records or dates. The embroidery gives the name of his regiment, North Stafford, and place names of where the 9th Battalion fought: Somme, Ancre, Arras, Messines and Ypres. The 9th Battalion were at the Battle of the Ancre (November 13-19 1916), Battle of Messines (June 1917) and several battles during the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele).The embroidery is privately owned by his family.
Military Personnel Address on 1918 Electoral Register
Eastwood Road, Radcliffe on Trent
1921 Census
Address: Julian Road, West Bridgford
Employment: Jobbing gardener
Household: wife Mabel, sons Kenneth and Thomas, daughter Constance
Other Information
Kelly’s Directory 1922: Landscape gardener, West Bridgford, Notts.
Not found on 1939 Register.
Left England for New York 20th November 1947 on the Queen Mary and returned on 30th March 1948. Returned to New York 18th October 1956 on the Queen Elizabeth.
Left New York on 29th March 1959 for Southampton but no further information has been found.
Thomas Percy Rook, his son, was killed in WW2. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission holds the following details: Thomas Rook was a Flight Sergeant, Radio Operator (Air) Service Number 1177574. with 180 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 30.06.1944 age twenty-nine. Son of Percy and Mabel Louie Rook, of West Bridgford, Nottingham.
Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour
Lived in Radcliffe on Trent.