Main CPGW Record
Surname: CORK
Forename(s): Walter
Place of Birth: Bingley, Yorkshire
Service No: 377271
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Labour Corps
Battalion / Unit: 764th Area Employment Coy
Division: ---
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1918-04-20
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: III. E. 1.
CWGC Cemetery: HARINGHE (BANDAGHEM) MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: BARNOLDSWICK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Walter Cork was the son of David and Elizabeth Cork, née Nunwick. David was born at Bingley, Yorkshire and Elizabeth at Preston, Lancashire. Elizabeth died in 1886.
1881 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: New Town, Orchard Cottages - Walter Cork, aged 3 years, born Bingley, Yorkshire, son of David and Elizabeth Cork.
1891 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 11, Butts - Walter Cork, aged 13 years, born Bingley, Yorkshire, son of David and [stepson of] Mary Ann Cork. [David had married Mary Ann Pearson in 1887.]
Walter was married to Sarah Wood in 1897.
1901 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: Phillip Street - Walter Cork, aged 23 years, born Bingley, Yorkshire, husband of Sarah Cork.
1911 Barnoldswick, Yorkshire Census: 76, Rainhall Road - Walter Cork, aged 33 years, born Bingley, Yorkshire, husband of Sarah Cork. [Walter and Sarah, with their children, were boarding with Ann Gallagher.]
The British Army Service Record for Walter Cork exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Walter Cork, 17934, K.O.S.B.; 377271, Lab. Corps. Theatre of War first served in (1) France. Date of entry therein: 7.6.15. Died 20.4.18.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Walter Cork, 17934, K. O. Sco. Bdrs.; 377271, Labour Corps. Died 20.4.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Walter Cork, 377271, 764 Area Emp. Lab Co. Date and Place of Death: 20.4.18 62nd CCS France or Belgium. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow and Sole Legatee - Sarah. £21 11s. 2d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Walter. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Sarah, born 18.7.78. Address: 15, Turner Street, Barnoldswick, Yorks. Children: Lily, born 18.11.03. Herbert, born 24.6.09.
In 1939 Sarah was living at 14, South Avenue, Barnoldswick.
Walter is commemorated in the Rolls of Honour at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
A short biography of Walter is included in: ‘Barnoldswick – A small Town’s part in conflicts 1800 to 2014’ by Peter Ian Thompson (2014).
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:
CORK, W., aged 40 years, K.O.S.B., 15, Turner Street, [Barnoldswick], killed in action April 20, 1918.
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Private Walter CORK
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Labour Corps
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Walter and Sarah Cork, née Wood with their children (l-r): Lily Alice, David and Herbert
Courtesy of Sue Horne
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
03 May 1918
Private Walter Cork, Barnoldswick
Private Walter Cork, K.O.S.B., killed on April 20th, was 40 years of age and leaves a widow and three children living at 15 Turner Street, Barnoldswick. Formerly an oiler at Moss Shed, he went to France in May 1915, and had previously been wounded. For the past six months he had been attached to an Area Employment Company guarding German prisoners behind the lines, and was killed by a bomb dropped on the camp from enemy aircraft just after midnight.
“It landed alongside the hut in which your husband was sleeping (writes Major Leslie to Mrs. Cork) and I regret to say he was dangerously wounded. He received first-aid at once and was removed to a Casualty Clearing Station with the greatest possible expedition, but on arrival the doctors could only pronounce him dead. May I express my sincere sympathy with you and your family (of whom I know he was so proud) in your very deep distress. He was one of the best of my men – always ready and obliging – and I also, as do his comrades, deeply regret his untimely death.”
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
03 May 1918
CORK – Killed in action April 20th, of the K.O.S.B., husband of Mrs. Cork, of 15, Turner Street, Barnoldswick, aged 40.
03 May 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Private W. Cork Killed
Private Walter Cork, K.O.S.B., killed on April 20th, was 40 years of age and leaves a wife and three children living at 15, Turner Street, Barnoldswick. Formerly an oiler at Moss Shed, he went to France in May, 1915, and had previously been wounded. For the past six months he had been attached to an Area Employment Company, guarding German prisoners behind the lines and was killed by a bomb dropped on the camp from enemy aircraft just after midnight. “It landed alongside the hut in which your husband was sleeping (writes Major Leslie to Mrs. Cork) and I regret to say he was dangerously wounded. He received first aid at once and was removed to a Casualty Clearing Station with the greatest possible expedition, but on arrival the doctor could only pronounce him dead. May I express my sincere sympathy with you and your family (of whom I know he was so proud) in your very deep distress. He was one of the best of my men, always ready and obliging – and I also, as do his comrades, deeply regret his untimely death.”
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