COOK Lorne Frankland

Lorne Cook enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on the 6th May 1942. On his attestation form he gave his date of birth as 11th May 1921, his place of birth as Kenton, Manitoba, his permanent address as Norquay, Saskatchewan, his religion as Presbyterian and his occupation as a Bank Clerk. In 1940 he served as a Gunner with the 4th Field Battery, no discharge was required as this was volunteer training for home defence. Lorne gave his next of kin as his father, Freddie Lerory Cook, born Bentnor, Ontario, resident Kenton, Manitoba, occupation: Livestock Dealer and his mother as Naomi Sarah Cook nee Decker, born Orrwold, Manitoba.

Extract from a letter written to Lorne’s mother on the 29th November 1943 from a Group Captain at RAF Pershore:
“I am writing to express my very sincere sympathy with you in the loss of your son, Pilot Officer Lorne Franklin Cook, who was killed as a result of a flying accident at Hampstead Norris, Berkshire, on 24th November 1943.

Your brother was the Navigator of a Wellington aircraft which took off from this station on the night of 23rd November 1943, to undergo a practice cross country flight, and at 2.40 a.m. the aircraft crashed. The crash was a severe one and it may be of some consolation to you to know that your son must have been killed instantly.

Pilot Officer Cook had almost completed his training and it is very sad that this should have happened so early in his career. His death will undoubtedly be a loss to the Service.

The funeral took place at Pershore Cemetery, at 3 p.m. on Saturday 27th November 1943, with full service honours, and the service was conducted by Padre Scott, the Canadian Padre for this district.”

The following information has been taken from Page 93 of The Canadian Bank of Commerce War Service Records 1939-1945:
Cook, Lorne Frankland – Flying Officer. Born 11th May, 1921, at Kenton, Manitoba. Entered the service of the Bank 9th August, 1939. Served at Yorkton and Norquay, Saskatchewan. Enlisted 18th May 1942, from the latter branch in R.C.A.F. Pilot Officer in March, 1943; Flying Officer in June, 1943. Trained at Brandon and Winnipeg, Man. Overseas in March, 1943. Killed on active service in England 24th November, 1943, as the result of an accident on a cross-country flight.

Pilot Officer Lorne Franklin Cook age 22, serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force was buried in consecrated ground in Pershore Cemetery on 27th November 1943.  The ceremony was performed by the Reverend H. Crawford Scott.

Register of Burials in War Graves in Pershore Cemetery courtesy of Pershore Town Council.

Lorne Cook