Cyril Cook...

Cyril Cook began his working life in a Baking House when he was just 14. He was called up to serve in the Second World War in 1942 at the age of 19 and completed his training at Canterbury before joining the East Surrey Regiment in Algeria in November 1942. The Regiment was part of the British 1st Army and Cyril saw action in Tunisia before completing further training in Tripoli.

He then took part in the invasion of Sicily and was in the anti-tank platoon. In the town of Adrano his section were tasked with setting up a position on the far side of town. Cyril was driving the section truck as they approached a point where the road was badly cratered. Here it was necessary to unload the gun and as Cyril started to unload ammunition he was blown across the road as a member of the section stepped on a mine He was badly injured, but was relatively lucky as he was the only survivor from the Section. He then spent the next six weeks in hospital in Tripoli recovering from his injuries before being sent to a transit camp in Southern Italy.

After two weeks in this transit camp Cyril volunteered to take part in the Anzio landings where he saw a days action during which time two of his comrades were killed and three others injured. He was then told that he was being returned to the transit camp but asked to be returned to his regiment. He found his battalion after two days, 12 miles north of Naples. The Battalion then advanced north and Cyril found himself working as a messenger.

As the battles for Monte Cassino commenced Cyril became part of a section of five responsible for the resupply of forward positions by mule. They had to collect mules from the French Mule Camp (a 4-mile round trip) and load supplies from the stores. Leaving camp at approximately 4p.m. they would reach the forward positions at about midnight before returning to repeat the exercise the next evening. Sometimes they were required to remain forward to allow the walking wounded to return with the mules.

Later Cyril was employed as a driver to collect casualties from as far forward as possible to return them for treatment at the clearing station. He served throughout the four battles which finally broke the Gustav Line. Towards the end he was injured, receiving both gunshot and shrapnel wounds However, he remained serving and continued with the advance into northern Italy.

By this time he was suffering from what would be known these days as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and spent some time in hospital being treated. Thereafter he served in Greece and returned to southern Italy before returning to England shortly after VE Day. He was then demobbed and returned to civilian employment, which included a period working in Australia.

Cyril was one of the many veterans at the Royal Chelsea Hospital where he led an active life fundraising and taking part in various military events. He married Gladys soon after the war but never talked about his wartime experiences with her. He died aged 81 on January 26th 2005 soon after "We Were Soldiers" was finished leaving two children, and five grandchildren.