Main CPGW Record
Surname: COOKSON
Forename(s): Mostyn Eden
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: ---
Rank: Major
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Sussex Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: 1st Division
Age: 46
Date of Death: 1914-09-14
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: ---
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: GARGRAVE, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON – ERMYSTED’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Mostyn Eden Cookson (born 1 January 1868) was the son of William and Eleanor Anne Cookson, née Wilson. William was born at Chatham, Kent and Eleanor at Burley-in-Wharfedale, Yorkshire.
1871 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: Newmarket Street - Mostyn E. Cookson, aged 3 years, born Skipton, son of William and Eleanor Anne Cookson.
1881 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 19, Newmarket Street - M.E. Cookson, aged 13 years, born Skipton, son of Wiiliam Cookson (married).
1901 Preston, Lancashire Census: Fulwood Barracks, 1st Bn Royal Sussex Regiment - Lieutenant Mostyn E, Cookson, aged 23 years, born Skipton-in-Craven, Yorkshire.
Mostyn was married to Josephine Emily Pinder in 1904.
1911 Kildare, Co. Kildare Ireland Census: Curragh Military Camp - Mostyn Eden Cookson, aged 43 years, born England, husband of Josephine Emily Cookson, born British Columbia. Major, Royal Sussex Regiment.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Major M.E. Cookson, 2nd Batt R. Suss. R. Disembarkation Returns: 12.8.14. Killed in Action 14.9.14. Correspondence: Mrs. Reginald Henning (formerly Cookson) applies for 1914 Star in respect of her late husband. Address: The Ladies Automobile Club, Claridge's Hotel, Brook Street, W. Further letter from Mrs Henning 12.2.18. Mrs Henning applies for 1914 Star Clasp 3.12.19. Address: Bush House, Dorchester, Dorset.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Major M. E. Cookson, Royal Sussex Regiment. K. in A. 14.9.14.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Major M. E. Cookson, Royal Sussex Regt. Date and Place of Death: Killed in action 14.9.14. To whom Issued: Widow and Executrix - Mrs Josephine Emily Cookson. £66 15s. 9d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: Major Mostyn Eden Cookson, R. Sussex. K. in A. Sept. 1914. Address of Widow (Remarried): Mrs J. E. Henning, Bainton Private Hotel, Sherborne, Dorset.
Short biographies of Mostyn are included in:
‘A Grammar School at War – The Story of Ermysted’s Grammar School during the Great War’ by Steven Howarth (2007).
‘From Mills to Marching and Back Again – A History of Gargrave from 1900 to 1925’ by Sue Lyall and Donavon Slaven with contributions from George Ingle, Ray Jones and Martin Thompson (2019).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
COKSON, Maj. M.D., Royal Essex Regt., aged 46, killed in action Sept. 14, 1914.
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Major Mostyn Eden COOKSON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Sussex Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 1st Division
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
25 September 1914
COOKSON – Killed in action in France, on Sept. 14, aged 46 years. Major Mostyn Eden Cookson, Royal Sussex Regiment, husband of Josephine Cookson, and son of the late Major Cookson, 80th Regiment, of Gargrave, Yorkshire.
25 September 1914
SKIPTON OFFICER KILLED – MAJOR M. E. COOKSON
The casualty list, published on Friday night by the War Office, included the name of Major M. E. Cookson of the Royal Sussex Regiment, who was amongst the missing.
Major Cookson is a son of the late Major Cookson of Skipton, who for many years was adjutant of the 3rd Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment in the early days of the movement. The Cookson family is well known in this district, the youngest sister of the missing Major being the late Lady Holden, who previous to her marriage resided with her sister at Gargrave.
Major Cookson-familiarly known to many Skiptonians as Mostyn Cookson-received the early part of his education at the Skipton Grammar School, and it was hoped that it might prove that he had only become detached from his regiment. On Wednesday morning, however, the official intimation was given that Major Cookson was amongst the officers killed in action on September 14th. He is 46 years of age and married.
04 August 1916
SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL – The Roll of Honour
At their day of all days did they think with pride and love of those who – some of those so recently in their midst playing their games, sharing their work, living their life, learning their ideals – had carried these ideals on to the field of battle to fight for King and Country as once they fought for their school. It was impossible to give them a full list of all old boys who had joined the Colours, but they owed it to the memory of these heroes of the Skipton Grammar School who had so willingly given their lives to the Empire to do public honour and reverence to their names.
The following old boys and masters had died on active service:–
Lieut. C. W. Brown, Sergt. J. Cockerill, Second-Lieut. H. Colley, Major M. T. Cookson, Lieut. H. Knowles, Second-Lieut. J. C. McIntyre, Lieut. E.J.C. Supple, Pte. F. Thornton, Second-Lieut. Ian Wilson
Let their example, and the example of all their sons who had so freely responded to their country’s call, be the dominant thought in this their day of thanksgiving. God give them grace to keep the tradition that they had made for them.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
25 September 1914
MAJOR COOKSON MISSING
The casualty list published on Friday night by the War Office includes the name of Major M.E. Cookson, of the Royal Sussex Regiment, who is amongst the missing. Major Cookson is a son of the late Major Cookson of Skipton, who for many years had charge of the Volunteers in that part of Craven in the early days of the movement. The Cookson family is well known in West Yorkshire, the youngest sister of the missing Major being the late Lady Holden, who previous to her marriage resided with her sister at Gargrave. Major Cookson – familiarly known to many Skiptonians as Mostyn Cookson – received the early part of his education at the Skipton Grammar School, and it is to be hoped that it may prove that he has only become detached from his regiment, and that he will ultimately turn up safe and sound. He is about 46 years of age and is married.
24 December 1915
CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – SKIPTON
Major M.E. Cookson, of the Royal Essex Regiment, 46 years of age, killed in action on September 11th 1914. Son of Major Cookson, of Skipton, for many years adjutant of the 3rd Duke of Wellington’s Volunteer Battalion. An old Skipton Grammar School boy.
14 December 1917
FOUNDER’S DAY AT SKIPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL
A Fifteenth Century Foundation – War Memorial Proposed
COMMEMORATION SERVICE
Wednesday’s proceedings were opened with a service in commemoration not only of the founders and benefactors of the school but also of the gallant men who formerly passed through the school and who had given their lives for their country in the present war. The service was conducted by the headmaster (Rev. F.G. Forder) in the big school and there was a good attendance of old boys and others interested in the school. The names of the fallen heroes are as follows:– 2nd Lieut. T.B. Bellamy, Captain C.D. Bennett, 2nd Lieut. T.D. Broughton, Captain C.W. Brown, Gunner Philip Brown, Corporal H.S. Caw, Sergt. J. Cockerill, 2nd Lieut. H. Colley (master), Major M.E. Cookson, 2nd Lieut. E.G. Goodman, 2nd Lieut. F.H. Gill, Private W. Hartley, Rifleman W.M. Jowett, Lieut. H. Knowles, 2nd Lieut. C.H. Lee (master), 2nd Lieut. J.C. McIntyre, Captain J.B. McKay, Lance-Corporal A.J. Metcalfe, J.H. [E.] Metcalfe, Private E. Platt, Private C.T.W. Rigby, 2nd Lieut. W.A. Rodwell, Sergt. A.F. Ryder, Lieut. E.J.C. Supple (master), Private F. Thornton, Rifleman H. Tindall, Sergt. H. Walker, Gunner Herbert Watson, 2nd Lieut. Alec Wilson, Private Cameron Wilson, 2nd Lieut. Ian Wilson.
Among the old boys who have gained distinctions are the following:– Military Cross, Second-Lieutenant J.G. Berry, Second-Lieutenant J.B. Hartley, Captain J.T. Hurst, Lieut. P. Jowett, Lieut. J. Petty, and Capt. T.B. Pollard (master); Distinguished Conduct Medal, Corpl. W.A. Murgatroyd; Mentioned in Despatches, Lieut. J. Pethybridge, Capt. Allan Wilson, and many others.
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