Englefield Echoes: A Family's Valor in World War II

<p dir="ltr">The contributor’s mother was Emily Cook who wrote her memoirs in 1990. She was 19/20 years old when war broke out, living in Englefield (Berks) where her father was postmaster. She helped in the PO but volunteered to help in local hospital for the Red Cross.</p><p>James Cook (uncle) was a TA in the Royal Engineers but was too young to be sent abroad, so he went to Ireland. Then eventually, he went to North Africa and Sicily with Royal Engineers. He transferred to Airborne but was captured at Arnhem. He was treated badly as his uniform was 'special' and was sent to work in a coal mine.</p><p>Jack Smith (father) joined the RAF in 1940, working in the RAF police and guarding stations in Devon and Wales. </p><p>William Cook (grandfather) was Chief Air Warden. His first job was to issue gas masks and he kept records of everyone who was issued with one.</p>