Kenneth Cooke

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Southend-on-Sea branch

Died: 10 May 1942

Kenneth Francis Cooke was born on 7 September 1917, the son of Charles and Gertrude Cooke. He was educated at London Road School, Southend-on-Sea and the Day Technical and Commercial School, Westcliff-on-Sea. He joined the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer at Southend-on-Sea branch in March 1936. He was promoted to junior clerk in June 1936 and to clerk in July 1938.

In February 1940 Cooke left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Engineers. He was posted to the Far East towards the end of 1941 and was present at the fall of Singapore. Corporal Cooke was captured in March 1942 and died of dysentery while a prisoner of war on 10 May 1942. He was 24 years old.