In Loving Memory of Lieutenant Godfrey Burton Cook 20th Hussars
To the glory of God and in loving memory of Lieut Godfrey Burton Cook 20th Hussars
Who was Killed in Action at Jassy(?) March 23rd 1918 Aged 23 years
This panelling was erected ****devoted(?) Father and Mother
COOK, GODFREY BURTON
Rank:……………………………………..Lieutenant
Date of Death:……………………….23/03/1918
Age:……………………………………….23
Regiment:………………………………20th Hussars
Grave Reference:…………………….I. H. 19.
Cemetery:……………………………….ST. SOUPLET BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Arthur Burton Cook and Alice Anne Cook, of "Sunlea," Sheringham, Norfolk.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/320621/COOK,%20GODFRE...
Godfrey was original buried at St Martin’s Military Cemetery Extension at. St Quentin, but the graves were re-located in 1924 to the St Souplet Cemtery. On the initial report it was stated that the original marker had him down as dieing on the 27th March 1918. The grave next to him was a Captain W H R Rayson of the Royal Field Artillery who died the same day. However the final report had been manually amended to show Godfrey dieing on the 29th March 1918.
(CWGC have added many additional documents to their database as part of the centenary. These can be accessed by going to the entry for Godfrey and using the CWGC Archive Online option).
ST. SOUPLET BRITISH CEMETERY
Historical Information
St. Souplet village was captured by the American 30th Division on the 10th October 1918.
The American troops made a cemetery of 371 American and seven British graves on the South-West side of the village, on the road to Vaux-Andigny. A smaller British cemetery was made alongside. The American graves were removed after the Armistice and the seven British graves were moved into the British cemetery. Further British graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and the ….smaller burial grounds (such as):-
ST. MARTIN MILITARY CEMETERY, ST. QUENTIN, a large cemetery of over 8,000 graves on the West side of the city, begun in 1914 and extended after the Armistice, contained 134 British graves.
www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/33100/ST.%20SOUPLET...
SDGW records that Lieutenant Godfrey Bruton Cook died of wounds on the 29th March 1918 whilst serving with the 19th (Queen Alexandra’s Own Royal) Hussars. There is a supplementary note that he was In Ger Hands, which I assume means he was a Prisoner of War.
Interestingly, the SDGW entry for Acting Captain William Humphrey Ronald Rayson of the 47th Brigade Royal Field Artillery also has him as Died of Wounds on the 27th March 1918 and the note clearly states In German Hands
On CWGC Captain Rayson’s date of death is still the 27th March, so its intriguing that the official entry for Godfrey has come forward to the 23rd.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/320939/RAYSON,%20WILL...
There is no straight match for a Medal Index Card for Godfrey but the nearest match goes some way to explain the discrepancy between the unit shown on CWGC, (and this memorial), and the unit shown on SDGW. The Medal Index Card for a G B Cook is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/4/238694
He was originally Private 1645 in the 3rd City of London Yeomanry before becoming a Second Lieutenant in the 20th Hussars. His final official rank was Lieutenant in the 19th Hussars.
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1918351
No match on Picture Norfolk.
Godfrey is remembered on the Sheringham War Memorial.
www.sheringhamrbl.co.uk/warmemorial/names/cookgb.php
www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Sheringham.html
(He is not on the Beeston War Memorial).
The administration of the estate of Lieutenant Godfrey Burton of Sunlea, Sheringham, who died on the 23rd March 1918 in France serving with the 20th Hussars Special Reserve was granted at London on the 22nd June to Arthur Burton Cook, Gentleman. Estate was valued at £658 17s. Details from the 1918 Probate Calendar.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=Cook&ye...
According to this web-site an old cousin who was the Lieutenant Colonel of the 20th Hussars would die on the 26th March, Killed in Action.
grangehill1922.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/george-trevor-rop...
Timeline
1895
The birth of Godfrey Burton Cook was recorded in the Newbury District of Berkshire in the January to March 1895 quarter.
1901
The 6 year old Godfrey Burton, born Newbury, Berkshire was recorded on the 1901 census at “Hilbre”, Holway Road, Sheringham. This was the household of his parents, Arthur Burton, (aged 42, no occupation listed and from Birkenhead), and Alice Ann, (aged 37 and from Shropshire). As well as Godfrey their children are:-
Clara Frances……………..aged 4………………..born Newbury
Edith…………………………aged under 10 weeks (?-tbc) …..born Sheringham
There are then three live in servants.
1911
By the time of the 1911 census the 16 year old Godfrey Burton was a Boarder at Malvern College, living at 5 The College Malvern, Worcestershire.
His parents and sisters Clara Frances and Edith were still recorded at “Hilbre”. Father Arthur is living off “Private Means”
1915 (Military Career)
In the supplement to the edition of the London Gazette for the 9th December 1915 there is a War Office announcement for the Special Reserve of Officers that the undermentioned to be Second Lieutenants (on probation), dated 10th December. Under Cavalry, 20th Hussars appears the name of Godfrey Burton Cook
www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29397/supplement/12306/...
On the day
The International Red Cross have a file for a G B Cook under reference P.A.28681
Interestingly the cover sheet has a note 20 Hrs. (Is that 20th Hussars?)
The relevant page this reference applies to is headed
“Nachstehend aufgefuhrte Erkennungsmarken wurden v.K.Bays, Kriegs-ministerium Nachweiseburo Munchen uberwiesen 6.6.18. Die Jnhaber d.marken sind gefallen oder verstorben, Naheres unbekannt.
Akts.22452/W.”
It appears to be a list of English prisoners prepared 21.6.18 prepared by the “Zentral-Nachweiseburo” and received by the Red Cross on the 5th July 1918.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Zoom/E/04/01/C_G1_E_04_01_0...
My Google translator comes back with
“Below listed dog tags were (with) v.K.Bays, War Ministry evidence bureau Munchen remitted 6.6.18.
The possessors d.marken have fallen or died, details unknown.”
As G B Cook has no serial number I’m assuming he’s an officer. If his details came from his dog tag and he’d recently changed unit then his dog tags may not have been altered.
Another Officer who did die of wounds received on the 23rd March 1918 was Lieutenant William Wickham Ogilvy who was leading a detachment of the 20th Hussars at “Jussy”.
1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=192522
Jussy is a village some 13 km south-south-west of St. Quentin in the Department of the Aisne.
Day 3, 23 March
Early on the morning of Saturday 23 March, German troops broke through the line in the 14th Division sector on the canal at Jussy. The 54th Brigade were holding the line directly to their south and were initially unaware of their predicament, as they were unknowingly being outflanked and surrounded. The 54th Brigade History records "the weather still favoured the Germans. Fog was thick over the rivers, canals and little valleys, so that he could bring up fresh masses of troops unseen". In the confusion, Brigade HQ tried to establish what was happening around Jussy and by late morning the British were retreating in front of German troops who had crossed the Crozat Canal at many points. All lines of defence had been overcome and there was nothing left to stop the German advance; during the day Aubigny, Brouchy, Cugny and Eaucourt fell
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Michael
With many units in disarray or effectively wiped out, Dismounted units of the Cavalry Brigade were thrown in to stem the tide. Both 20th and 19th Hussars were inaction, so I was still no clearer as to which unit Geoffrey was serving with.
Fortunately forum member, “Old Scalyback” at the Great War Forum was able to help out, even going so far as to download the 20th Hussars War Diary from the National Archive.
Geoffrey was indeed serving with the 20th Hussars. Whether his move to the 19th was a future change which his death forestalled or whether he’d gone there and then transferred back we shall probably never know.
As well as the daily record of events, appendix 2 also lists personel coming and going. I’ve merged the two below.
22nd March 1918 – Battalion War Diary (Part)
(Cont). Turned out again 1.45 PM and moved to sandpits half way between FAILLOUEL and JUSSY to be ready to make a counter attack if enemy succeeded in crossing canal as the bridges over it were not completely broken. The enemy did cross at MENNESSIS on the right and worked along the canal into JUSSY.
7.15 PM. 8 MGs posted on a line south of the railway which runs on southern edge of JUSSY and 12 R.Lancers moved up into immediate support at Sandpits where 43rd Inf Bde HdQrs (under whom 5 CB still is) have been established. Signed J.H.G.
From Appendix 2 to the War Diary
Date 22nd March 1918.
3 Other Ranks Killed in Action
9 Other Ranks Wounded in Action
2 Other Ranks Missing
23rd March 1918 – Battalion War Diary
3 AM. Situation appears to be some enemy in JUSSY and following dispositions were made 20H and half RSGs in JUSSY railway embankment under orders of OC 9th Scottish Rifles, 8 MGs as above, 1 sqdn 12 R.L. at Sandpits 1 sqdn 12 RL about to move to high ground West of FAILLOUEL as escort to some guns in position there. Remainder of 12 R L, RSGs and MGs echeloned back on right flank and east of FAILLOUEL JUSSY road.
6AM. Infantry after a small counter attack reported JUSSY clear of enemy. Very heavy Trench Mortar bombardment all night and morning and by 8 am enemy reached line of railway south of Jussy. At same time enemy reported to have broken through on the right in direction of MENNESSIS.
11.30AM. Maj. LITTLE was sent to line of FAILLOUEL FLAVY LE MARTEL road to collect and stop the infantry who were retiring and 1 sqdn 12 R.L, 1 sqdn RSGs and 1 regt 4th Cav.Bde ordered to join him there. 43rd Inf Bde HQ and 5th CB HQ moved back to the south of DETROIT BLEU at 12 Noon. Maj.LITTLE was about to launch a counter attack to re-establish line of railway when enemy were seen prowling around the left flank. It was accordingly cancelled and the left was thrown back. Held roughly line of FAILLOUEL – FLAVY road for a further 2 hours and then retired on FAILLOUEL where touch was established with 4th Cav.Bde on right. Left still “in the air”.
About 3 PM enemy were again prowling round left so retired to edge of large wood to S.W of FAILLOUEL.After an hour there withdrew through a few French troops onto main CUGNY-UGNY line where all stragglers had been collected and made to dig in.
Arrived 7 PM and billeted for night behind infantry at LA NEUVILLE. There has been a thick fog up to about midday on all days since attack commenced. Signed J.H.G.
From Appendix 2 to the War Diary
Date 23rd March 1918.
1 Other Rank to England as candidate for a commission
1 Other Rank to Hospital
1 Other Rank from Hospital
Lieut. G B Cook Killed in Action
Lieut W W Ogilvy Died of Wounds
Lieut W J Jackson Wounded in Action
4 Other Ranks Killed in Action
31 Other Ranks Wounded in Action
16 Other Ranks Missing
1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=230...
So for me the final mystery remains. If he was Killed in Action south of the village of Jussy on the 23rd March, why was his body collected from the battlefield and buried some 13 kilometres to the North East on the outskirts of San Quentin. It might explain the date on the original cross, with the 27th being the date his body was found, but not a lot else. My hunch is that he was badly wounded and left for dead, found by the Germans and then died at one of their aid stations \ hospitals nearer to St Quentin on the 27th or 29th. Theory two is that centres like St Quentin were subject to heavy attacks by the RAF from the 25th onwards in an attempt to stem the flow of the German Offensive. So either wounded or fully fit, he could have been killed in an air-raid.
In Loving Memory of Lieutenant Godfrey Burton Cook 20th Hussars
To the glory of God and in loving memory of Lieut Godfrey Burton Cook 20th Hussars
Who was Killed in Action at Jassy(?) March 23rd 1918 Aged 23 years
This panelling was erected ****devoted(?) Father and Mother
COOK, GODFREY BURTON
Rank:……………………………………..Lieutenant
Date of Death:……………………….23/03/1918
Age:……………………………………….23
Regiment:………………………………20th Hussars
Grave Reference:…………………….I. H. 19.
Cemetery:……………………………….ST. SOUPLET BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Arthur Burton Cook and Alice Anne Cook, of "Sunlea," Sheringham, Norfolk.
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/320621/COOK,%20GODFRE...
Godfrey was original buried at St Martin’s Military Cemetery Extension at. St Quentin, but the graves were re-located in 1924 to the St Souplet Cemtery. On the initial report it was stated that the original marker had him down as dieing on the 27th March 1918. The grave next to him was a Captain W H R Rayson of the Royal Field Artillery who died the same day. However the final report had been manually amended to show Godfrey dieing on the 29th March 1918.
(CWGC have added many additional documents to their database as part of the centenary. These can be accessed by going to the entry for Godfrey and using the CWGC Archive Online option).
ST. SOUPLET BRITISH CEMETERY
Historical Information
St. Souplet village was captured by the American 30th Division on the 10th October 1918.
The American troops made a cemetery of 371 American and seven British graves on the South-West side of the village, on the road to Vaux-Andigny. A smaller British cemetery was made alongside. The American graves were removed after the Armistice and the seven British graves were moved into the British cemetery. Further British graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and the ….smaller burial grounds (such as):-
ST. MARTIN MILITARY CEMETERY, ST. QUENTIN, a large cemetery of over 8,000 graves on the West side of the city, begun in 1914 and extended after the Armistice, contained 134 British graves.
www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/33100/ST.%20SOUPLET...
SDGW records that Lieutenant Godfrey Bruton Cook died of wounds on the 29th March 1918 whilst serving with the 19th (Queen Alexandra’s Own Royal) Hussars. There is a supplementary note that he was In Ger Hands, which I assume means he was a Prisoner of War.
Interestingly, the SDGW entry for Acting Captain William Humphrey Ronald Rayson of the 47th Brigade Royal Field Artillery also has him as Died of Wounds on the 27th March 1918 and the note clearly states In German Hands
On CWGC Captain Rayson’s date of death is still the 27th March, so its intriguing that the official entry for Godfrey has come forward to the 23rd.
www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/320939/RAYSON,%20WILL...
There is no straight match for a Medal Index Card for Godfrey but the nearest match goes some way to explain the discrepancy between the unit shown on CWGC, (and this memorial), and the unit shown on SDGW. The Medal Index Card for a G B Cook is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/4/238694
He was originally Private 1645 in the 3rd City of London Yeomanry before becoming a Second Lieutenant in the 20th Hussars. His final official rank was Lieutenant in the 19th Hussars.
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1918351
No match on Picture Norfolk.
Godfrey is remembered on the Sheringham War Memorial.
www.sheringhamrbl.co.uk/warmemorial/names/cookgb.php
www.roll-of-honour.com/Norfolk/Sheringham.html
(He is not on the Beeston War Memorial).
The administration of the estate of Lieutenant Godfrey Burton of Sunlea, Sheringham, who died on the 23rd March 1918 in France serving with the 20th Hussars Special Reserve was granted at London on the 22nd June to Arthur Burton Cook, Gentleman. Estate was valued at £658 17s. Details from the 1918 Probate Calendar.
probatesearch.service.gov.uk/Calendar?surname=Cook&ye...
According to this web-site an old cousin who was the Lieutenant Colonel of the 20th Hussars would die on the 26th March, Killed in Action.
grangehill1922.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/george-trevor-rop...
Timeline
1895
The birth of Godfrey Burton Cook was recorded in the Newbury District of Berkshire in the January to March 1895 quarter.
1901
The 6 year old Godfrey Burton, born Newbury, Berkshire was recorded on the 1901 census at “Hilbre”, Holway Road, Sheringham. This was the household of his parents, Arthur Burton, (aged 42, no occupation listed and from Birkenhead), and Alice Ann, (aged 37 and from Shropshire). As well as Godfrey their children are:-
Clara Frances……………..aged 4………………..born Newbury
Edith…………………………aged under 10 weeks (?-tbc) …..born Sheringham
There are then three live in servants.
1911
By the time of the 1911 census the 16 year old Godfrey Burton was a Boarder at Malvern College, living at 5 The College Malvern, Worcestershire.
His parents and sisters Clara Frances and Edith were still recorded at “Hilbre”. Father Arthur is living off “Private Means”
1915 (Military Career)
In the supplement to the edition of the London Gazette for the 9th December 1915 there is a War Office announcement for the Special Reserve of Officers that the undermentioned to be Second Lieutenants (on probation), dated 10th December. Under Cavalry, 20th Hussars appears the name of Godfrey Burton Cook
www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29397/supplement/12306/...
On the day
The International Red Cross have a file for a G B Cook under reference P.A.28681
Interestingly the cover sheet has a note 20 Hrs. (Is that 20th Hussars?)
The relevant page this reference applies to is headed
“Nachstehend aufgefuhrte Erkennungsmarken wurden v.K.Bays, Kriegs-ministerium Nachweiseburo Munchen uberwiesen 6.6.18. Die Jnhaber d.marken sind gefallen oder verstorben, Naheres unbekannt.
Akts.22452/W.”
It appears to be a list of English prisoners prepared 21.6.18 prepared by the “Zentral-Nachweiseburo” and received by the Red Cross on the 5th July 1918.
grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Zoom/E/04/01/C_G1_E_04_01_0...
My Google translator comes back with
“Below listed dog tags were (with) v.K.Bays, War Ministry evidence bureau Munchen remitted 6.6.18.
The possessors d.marken have fallen or died, details unknown.”
As G B Cook has no serial number I’m assuming he’s an officer. If his details came from his dog tag and he’d recently changed unit then his dog tags may not have been altered.
Another Officer who did die of wounds received on the 23rd March 1918 was Lieutenant William Wickham Ogilvy who was leading a detachment of the 20th Hussars at “Jussy”.
1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=192522
Jussy is a village some 13 km south-south-west of St. Quentin in the Department of the Aisne.
Day 3, 23 March
Early on the morning of Saturday 23 March, German troops broke through the line in the 14th Division sector on the canal at Jussy. The 54th Brigade were holding the line directly to their south and were initially unaware of their predicament, as they were unknowingly being outflanked and surrounded. The 54th Brigade History records "the weather still favoured the Germans. Fog was thick over the rivers, canals and little valleys, so that he could bring up fresh masses of troops unseen". In the confusion, Brigade HQ tried to establish what was happening around Jussy and by late morning the British were retreating in front of German troops who had crossed the Crozat Canal at many points. All lines of defence had been overcome and there was nothing left to stop the German advance; during the day Aubigny, Brouchy, Cugny and Eaucourt fell
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Michael
With many units in disarray or effectively wiped out, Dismounted units of the Cavalry Brigade were thrown in to stem the tide. Both 20th and 19th Hussars were inaction, so I was still no clearer as to which unit Geoffrey was serving with.
Fortunately forum member, “Old Scalyback” at the Great War Forum was able to help out, even going so far as to download the 20th Hussars War Diary from the National Archive.
Geoffrey was indeed serving with the 20th Hussars. Whether his move to the 19th was a future change which his death forestalled or whether he’d gone there and then transferred back we shall probably never know.
As well as the daily record of events, appendix 2 also lists personel coming and going. I’ve merged the two below.
22nd March 1918 – Battalion War Diary (Part)
(Cont). Turned out again 1.45 PM and moved to sandpits half way between FAILLOUEL and JUSSY to be ready to make a counter attack if enemy succeeded in crossing canal as the bridges over it were not completely broken. The enemy did cross at MENNESSIS on the right and worked along the canal into JUSSY.
7.15 PM. 8 MGs posted on a line south of the railway which runs on southern edge of JUSSY and 12 R.Lancers moved up into immediate support at Sandpits where 43rd Inf Bde HdQrs (under whom 5 CB still is) have been established. Signed J.H.G.
From Appendix 2 to the War Diary
Date 22nd March 1918.
3 Other Ranks Killed in Action
9 Other Ranks Wounded in Action
2 Other Ranks Missing
23rd March 1918 – Battalion War Diary
3 AM. Situation appears to be some enemy in JUSSY and following dispositions were made 20H and half RSGs in JUSSY railway embankment under orders of OC 9th Scottish Rifles, 8 MGs as above, 1 sqdn 12 R.L. at Sandpits 1 sqdn 12 RL about to move to high ground West of FAILLOUEL as escort to some guns in position there. Remainder of 12 R L, RSGs and MGs echeloned back on right flank and east of FAILLOUEL JUSSY road.
6AM. Infantry after a small counter attack reported JUSSY clear of enemy. Very heavy Trench Mortar bombardment all night and morning and by 8 am enemy reached line of railway south of Jussy. At same time enemy reported to have broken through on the right in direction of MENNESSIS.
11.30AM. Maj. LITTLE was sent to line of FAILLOUEL FLAVY LE MARTEL road to collect and stop the infantry who were retiring and 1 sqdn 12 R.L, 1 sqdn RSGs and 1 regt 4th Cav.Bde ordered to join him there. 43rd Inf Bde HQ and 5th CB HQ moved back to the south of DETROIT BLEU at 12 Noon. Maj.LITTLE was about to launch a counter attack to re-establish line of railway when enemy were seen prowling around the left flank. It was accordingly cancelled and the left was thrown back. Held roughly line of FAILLOUEL – FLAVY road for a further 2 hours and then retired on FAILLOUEL where touch was established with 4th Cav.Bde on right. Left still “in the air”.
About 3 PM enemy were again prowling round left so retired to edge of large wood to S.W of FAILLOUEL.After an hour there withdrew through a few French troops onto main CUGNY-UGNY line where all stragglers had been collected and made to dig in.
Arrived 7 PM and billeted for night behind infantry at LA NEUVILLE. There has been a thick fog up to about midday on all days since attack commenced. Signed J.H.G.
From Appendix 2 to the War Diary
Date 23rd March 1918.
1 Other Rank to England as candidate for a commission
1 Other Rank to Hospital
1 Other Rank from Hospital
Lieut. G B Cook Killed in Action
Lieut W W Ogilvy Died of Wounds
Lieut W J Jackson Wounded in Action
4 Other Ranks Killed in Action
31 Other Ranks Wounded in Action
16 Other Ranks Missing
1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=230...
So for me the final mystery remains. If he was Killed in Action south of the village of Jussy on the 23rd March, why was his body collected from the battlefield and buried some 13 kilometres to the North East on the outskirts of San Quentin. It might explain the date on the original cross, with the 27th being the date his body was found, but not a lot else. My hunch is that he was badly wounded and left for dead, found by the Germans and then died at one of their aid stations \ hospitals nearer to St Quentin on the 27th or 29th. Theory two is that centres like St Quentin were subject to heavy attacks by the RAF from the 25th onwards in an attempt to stem the flow of the German Offensive. So either wounded or fully fit, he could have been killed in an air-raid.