THE BEHEADING
at
Old Hill Farm,
Pebmarsh, in Essex.
The Victim:
ROBERT JOHN COCKRILL 1841-1896
Robert John Cockrill was born on the 19th November 1841, at Great Saxham, Suffolk. Baptised the 12th February 1844, at St. Andrew Church, Great Saxham Suffolk. The son of Robert Double, and Eliza Martin, his second wife, who he married at St. Andrew the Less, Cambridge, on the 13th June 1838.
Robert Double Cockrill 1800-1877, a farmer of 486 Acres employing 17 Men and 6 Boys died at Norton, in Suffolk the 23rd of April 1877. Eliza Cockrill nee Martin 1811-1883, died the 2nd September 1883, at 1 Springfield Villas, Great Saxham, Suffolk.
R. J. Cockrill, had a private school education, who worked for his father, up until his marriage to Mary Treen at Newmarket, Cambridgeshire in 1867, when he took over Fasbourn Hall at Buxham in Suffolk, farming 200 acres.
It all comes to an end, when on Monday the 2nd of October 1882, the capital farming live and dead stock, household goods, furniture, and effects, were sold by auction.
R.J., took work as a farm steward/bailiff, moving between Edwardstone in Suffolk, to Ovington in Essex, to Abbots- Langley, in Hertfordshire. To Norfolk, and finally at Pebmarsh in Essex.
The Children of Robert John and Mary Cockrill:
Ada Sarah was baptised the 19th July 1868, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. She married Isaac Bennington Aspland a tax collector, in 1893 at St. George Hanover Square, London. There had one child a son Robert Lindsey Bennington 1895-1963, Ada died on the 28th May1953, at Thetford in Norfolk.
Percy Robert Treen was baptised the 14th August 1870, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. A master butcher, of 194 Fore Street, Middlesex North London. He married Theodosia Hughes on the 28th January 1895 at St. Silas Church Pentonville, North London. There had four children. Percy died at Edmonton North London in 1950.
Lillian Mary was baptised the 28th July 1872, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. Lillian worked as a house-keeper at her uncle William’s farm for some time. She died a spinster on the 22nd November 1958, at The Cottage Hospital, in Thetford Norfolk.
Frank Henry was baptised the 4th October 1874, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. A butcher, meat salesman. He married Kate Usber Hughes at St. James Church, Upper Edmonton the 8th July 1895. There had a son and a daughter, before Kate’s untimely death in 1907. Frank remarried on the 1st June 1909, at St. James Church, Upper Edmonton to Catherine Matilda Sarah Wrenn. Frank died in 1947.
Horace Threader was born in 1875, and baptised on the 16th July 1876, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. Like his brother’s before him, he also worked as a butcher. He married Catherine Elizabeth Baines, at Fulham, West London in 1909.
Horace opened a restaurant and ended his career as publican of The Royal Oak, Southill Road in Gravesend Kent. Where he died on the 16th October 1931.
Rupert Mortlock was baptised on the 4th May 1879, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. A butcher’s manager, who married Ruth Munt on the 19th November 1906 at St. Paul Church, Bethnal Green, East London. They had a son Robert Frederick 1908-1990, daughter Janet Mary born in 1920, she died at the age of 47 in March 1968 at Ickleton Cambridgeshire. Rupert died in 1931 at Dartford Kent.
Flora Sophia, born in 1880 at Buxham, she was baptised on the 20th February 1881, Flora died at the age of nine in 1890.
Annie Elizabeth, born on the 17th February 1883 at Edwardstone, in Suffolk. Annie worked as a governess before she married Sydney Wright, a farmer in 1909. Annie died in 1970.
Helen Kathleen worked as a governess, she never married and died a spinster. Helen was born in 1886 at Edwardstone, she died at St. Andrews Hospital Thorpe in Norwich on the 5th November 1966.
Edwin William born at Ovington in Essex in 1888, he died at the age of 4 in 1893 in Norfolk.
Robert Double Cockrill 1800-1877, a farmer of 486 Acres employing 17 Men and 6 Boys died at Norton, in Suffolk the 23rd of April 1877. Eliza Cockrill nee Martin 1811-1883, died the 2nd September 1883, at 1 Springfield Villas, Great Saxham, Suffolk.
R. J. Cockrill, had a private school education, who worked for his father, up until his marriage to Mary Treen at Newmarket, Cambridgeshire in 1867, when he took over Fasbourn Hall at Buxham in Suffolk, farming 200 acres.
It all comes to an end, when on Monday the 2nd of October 1882, the capital farming live and dead stock, household goods, furniture, and effects, were sold by auction.
R.J., took work as a farm steward/bailiff, moving between Edwardstone in Suffolk, to Ovington in Essex, to Abbots- Langley, in Hertfordshire. To Norfolk, and finally at Pebmarsh in Essex.
The Children of Robert John and Mary Cockrill:
Ada Sarah was baptised the 19th July 1868, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. She married Isaac Bennington Aspland a tax collector, in 1893 at St. George Hanover Square, London. There had one child a son Robert Lindsey Bennington 1895-1963, Ada died on the 28th May1953, at Thetford in Norfolk.
Percy Robert Treen was baptised the 14th August 1870, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. A master butcher, of 194 Fore Street, Middlesex North London. He married Theodosia Hughes on the 28th January 1895 at St. Silas Church Pentonville, North London. There had four children. Percy died at Edmonton North London in 1950.
Lillian Mary was baptised the 28th July 1872, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. Lillian worked as a house-keeper at her uncle William’s farm for some time. She died a spinster on the 22nd November 1958, at The Cottage Hospital, in Thetford Norfolk.
Frank Henry was baptised the 4th October 1874, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. A butcher, meat salesman. He married Kate Usber Hughes at St. James Church, Upper Edmonton the 8th July 1895. There had a son and a daughter, before Kate’s untimely death in 1907. Frank remarried on the 1st June 1909, at St. James Church, Upper Edmonton to Catherine Matilda Sarah Wrenn. Frank died in 1947.
Horace Threader was born in 1875, and baptised on the 16th July 1876, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. Like his brother’s before him, he also worked as a butcher. He married Catherine Elizabeth Baines, at Fulham, West London in 1909.
Horace opened a restaurant and ended his career as publican of The Royal Oak, Southill Road in Gravesend Kent. Where he died on the 16th October 1931.
Rupert Mortlock was baptised on the 4th May 1879, at St. Mary Church, in Buxhall Suffolk. A butcher’s manager, who married Ruth Munt on the 19th November 1906 at St. Paul Church, Bethnal Green, East London. They had a son Robert Frederick 1908-1990, daughter Janet Mary born in 1920, she died at the age of 47 in March 1968 at Ickleton Cambridgeshire. Rupert died in 1931 at Dartford Kent.
Flora Sophia, born in 1880 at Buxham, she was baptised on the 20th February 1881, Flora died at the age of nine in 1890.
Annie Elizabeth, born on the 17th February 1883 at Edwardstone, in Suffolk. Annie worked as a governess before she married Sydney Wright, a farmer in 1909. Annie died in 1970.
Helen Kathleen worked as a governess, she never married and died a spinster. Helen was born in 1886 at Edwardstone, she died at St. Andrews Hospital Thorpe in Norwich on the 5th November 1966.
Edwin William born at Ovington in Essex in 1888, he died at the age of 4 in 1893 in Norfolk.
The Collis's & Bentall’s
The Collis’s & Bentall’s family had farmed in Pebmarsh, and the surrounding area in Essex, for over a century, or two, passed down from generation to generation.
In 1852 the land in Pebmarsh, known as Old Hill Farm, passed down to John Collis 1827-1892, who was born in 1827 at Pebmarsh. The son of Samuel 1784-1852, who was baptized 13th July 1784, at Castle Hedingham, Essex, born at Pebmarsh, the son of John and Jane. Samuel married Hannah Susannah Bentall, on the 20th April 1826, at St. John the Baptist, Pebmarsh. The daughter of Arthur Bentall and Mary Wright.
John Collis had married Susannah Bentall on the 16th October 1851 at Gestingthorpe, in Essex. The daughter of Anthony Bentall a farmer of Park Gate Farm in Gestingthorpe Essex. Anthony Bentall died 31st August 1863 at Gestingthorpe, with a legacy under £6000, which went to his widow Elizabeth, son-in-law John Collis and others. Three years later Elizabeth died on the 28th June 1866 with a legacy under £8000, which went to John Collis and others.
John and Susannah Collis children:
David Taylor Collis was born in 1852, When David become of age he took over the running of Park Gate Farm, but left the farm in 1884/85, and became a dairyman, he was married with children and died in 1917.
Elizabeth Mary was born in 1854, she married John Martin Turpin a farmer in 1876. There lived at Hall Farm, Church Road, Twinstead Essex. There had four children two of each. John Martin died the 24th August 1912 at Twinstone, Essex. Elizabeth died on the 29th November 1918 at Ballington in Essex.
Ellen Susanna was born in 1856, she went on to married Thomas Purkis Turpin in 1880. he had a dry-cleaning business in Lancashire. So Ellen moved to 164 Bolton Road, at Pendleton in Lancashire. A son Thomas John Collis Turpin was born on the 17th May 1882, he died aged only five in 1888. A daughter Florence Ellen was born in 1886.
Thomas joined the Cope Lodge Freemason, at Sale in Cheshire, on the 15th October 1886, he resigned three years later the 16th October 1889. Nothing more can be found for Thomas. Ellen and her daughter are back on the farm at Pebmarsh.
Ellen retired down to Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, living at 24 Chapman Road. She died on the 10th March 1948 at Lammemoor Nursing Home, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, leaving her daughter just over £2000.
Jane Ann was born in 1858, she married Frederick Joseph Hollingsworth a merchant off soft goods in 1886. There had two children Frederick John and Edith Mary and lived at Carshalton in Surrey. Jane died on the 26th of April 1925 at Strawberry Lodge, Carshalton in Surrey.
In 1852 the land in Pebmarsh, known as Old Hill Farm, passed down to John Collis 1827-1892, who was born in 1827 at Pebmarsh. The son of Samuel 1784-1852, who was baptized 13th July 1784, at Castle Hedingham, Essex, born at Pebmarsh, the son of John and Jane. Samuel married Hannah Susannah Bentall, on the 20th April 1826, at St. John the Baptist, Pebmarsh. The daughter of Arthur Bentall and Mary Wright.
John Collis had married Susannah Bentall on the 16th October 1851 at Gestingthorpe, in Essex. The daughter of Anthony Bentall a farmer of Park Gate Farm in Gestingthorpe Essex. Anthony Bentall died 31st August 1863 at Gestingthorpe, with a legacy under £6000, which went to his widow Elizabeth, son-in-law John Collis and others. Three years later Elizabeth died on the 28th June 1866 with a legacy under £8000, which went to John Collis and others.
John and Susannah Collis children:
David Taylor Collis was born in 1852, When David become of age he took over the running of Park Gate Farm, but left the farm in 1884/85, and became a dairyman, he was married with children and died in 1917.
Elizabeth Mary was born in 1854, she married John Martin Turpin a farmer in 1876. There lived at Hall Farm, Church Road, Twinstead Essex. There had four children two of each. John Martin died the 24th August 1912 at Twinstone, Essex. Elizabeth died on the 29th November 1918 at Ballington in Essex.
Ellen Susanna was born in 1856, she went on to married Thomas Purkis Turpin in 1880. he had a dry-cleaning business in Lancashire. So Ellen moved to 164 Bolton Road, at Pendleton in Lancashire. A son Thomas John Collis Turpin was born on the 17th May 1882, he died aged only five in 1888. A daughter Florence Ellen was born in 1886.
Thomas joined the Cope Lodge Freemason, at Sale in Cheshire, on the 15th October 1886, he resigned three years later the 16th October 1889. Nothing more can be found for Thomas. Ellen and her daughter are back on the farm at Pebmarsh.
Ellen retired down to Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, living at 24 Chapman Road. She died on the 10th March 1948 at Lammemoor Nursing Home, Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, leaving her daughter just over £2000.
Jane Ann was born in 1858, she married Frederick Joseph Hollingsworth a merchant off soft goods in 1886. There had two children Frederick John and Edith Mary and lived at Carshalton in Surrey. Jane died on the 26th of April 1925 at Strawberry Lodge, Carshalton in Surrey.
The Murderer:
Samuel Bentall Collis 1862-1899
And finally the baby of the family Samuel Bentall Collis, who was born in 1862 at Old Hill Farm Pebmarsh in Essex. An unknown childhood and he was also away from home in the 1871 census, a lost youth, “let's say.” We do know Samuel worked on the farm with his father, and that he was placed inside an asylum on the 18th May 1887, and discharged the 18th April 1888, (Down us recovered.)
Samuel returned to Old Hill Farm. But sadly on the 27th of April 1892, his father John Collis a farmer & malster of 420 acres, employing 16 men & 4 boys died. The three main benefactors were his wife Susannah, his two son-in-laws John Turpin farmer and Frederick Joseph merchant. Effects £2457 16s. 5d.
Samuel was not a happy man, he had very little to show, after the death of his father, and his “brother-in-law,” John Turpin, who had his “own” farm at Twinstead, about 3 miles away, was managing “his” farm. To keep Samuel on side, he was given his own house to live in a quarter of a mile from the farm.
Robert John Cockrill was employed by John Turpin, as farm steward/bailiff, with a house 500 yards from the farm, and all was well for the next four years until.
Samuel returned to Old Hill Farm. But sadly on the 27th of April 1892, his father John Collis a farmer & malster of 420 acres, employing 16 men & 4 boys died. The three main benefactors were his wife Susannah, his two son-in-laws John Turpin farmer and Frederick Joseph merchant. Effects £2457 16s. 5d.
Samuel was not a happy man, he had very little to show, after the death of his father, and his “brother-in-law,” John Turpin, who had his “own” farm at Twinstead, about 3 miles away, was managing “his” farm. To keep Samuel on side, he was given his own house to live in a quarter of a mile from the farm.
Robert John Cockrill was employed by John Turpin, as farm steward/bailiff, with a house 500 yards from the farm, and all was well for the next four years until.
Wednesdy 2nd September 1896
THE DAY OF THE MURDER
Wednesday morning, between 4 -5 a.m., Ellen Turpin, had seen her brother, Samuel Collis, walking around the garden on stilts. (A present from childhood.) Ellen had gone back to bed, but she was back up and attending to her duty’s before 6 a.m., she went out into the yard, to attend the chicken’s, where she again saw her brother, who without a word, knocked her down and kicked her, Ellen shouted out for Warren, an 18-year-old labourer, who was too scared to do anything. Their mother Susannah shouted out giving Ellen enough time to enter the house and bolt the doors.
Samuel, who had already killed two dogs, and two chickens, started smashing the windows to the house.
By now R. J. Cockrill had turned up for work, and walked towards Collis, Warren the young labourer, now came out of hiding and Cockrill, told him to feed the pigs, he turned to walk away when he heard two-shot from a revolver. He turned back to see Cockrill on the floor. (Warren ran off to fetch the local bobby.)
Collis was not finished with Cockrill, he shot him 3 times in the head. Which killed him instantly. He hit him twice in the head with the butt of his shotgun. Next, he pulled out a large carving knife, from an inside coat pocket and severed the head with it.
Collis placed the head in a basket and walk around until Police-constable Cook turned up.
Charles Henry Cook was the Police-constable called by Warren the young farm labourer, of an incident at Hill Farm. He went on his bicycle, and on arriving there he met Samuel Collis, who he knew very well, at the gate with a bowl under his left arm and some dead chickens and a gun barrel in his right hand.
Cook said. “What have you been up to Sam?" Collis replied, “I have shot a sheep, and here is the head,” showing him the bowl at the same time. Cook at first thought it was a sheep's head, but on looking closer saw it was the head of Robert John Cockrill, whom he also knew well.
Cook said. “Whatever have you been doing? You have killed poor old Cockrill.” Collis replied, “I shot a cock pheasant, and he came down with it.” Cook said, “What shall I do?” Collis replied, “Let me kiss you.” Cook drew back, noticing a carving knife sticking out of his inside coat pocket. Cook took the knife and gun away from him, Collis shouted out, “I am going to have that knife.” Cook replied, “If you come near me I shall knock you down.”
Cook persuaded him to go to the back of the house. Where he knocked and called for assistance. Eventually, Mrs Turpin (Collis's sister) came out and he handed her the weapons, at the same time, Collis made off over the gate and across a field, Cook gave chase, who eventually caught Collis up and said. “It is no use your running, you will not get away from me.” Collis then drew a revolver, and Cook told him he would knock him down if he did not put it away.
Collis replied, “I'll shoot you if you touch me.” Cook made a rush at him and threatened to split his head open with his truncheon. Collis said. “For God’s sake don't hit me like that,” putting his revolver in his pocket at the same time.
Cook threw him to the ground and took the revolver from him. He sat upon him and called out for help, he knew Warren wasn’t far away, who turned up within a minute or two, followed shortly by three other labourers’, there found some rope to tie him with, and place him in a horse and cart and taken to the police station.
The Inquest was held on Thursday evening the 3rd of September, the jury returned a verdict of murder on Wednesday morning the 2nd September 1896, by Samuel Bentall Collis. Collis had said he knew he had swallowed an egg.
Samuel Collis was certified insane and removed to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, on Tuesday the 15th September 1896. He died inside Broadmoor on the 23rd May 1899, from uremic coma.
He left in his will £259 12s. 9d., to his mother Susannah Collis.
Samuel, who had already killed two dogs, and two chickens, started smashing the windows to the house.
By now R. J. Cockrill had turned up for work, and walked towards Collis, Warren the young labourer, now came out of hiding and Cockrill, told him to feed the pigs, he turned to walk away when he heard two-shot from a revolver. He turned back to see Cockrill on the floor. (Warren ran off to fetch the local bobby.)
Collis was not finished with Cockrill, he shot him 3 times in the head. Which killed him instantly. He hit him twice in the head with the butt of his shotgun. Next, he pulled out a large carving knife, from an inside coat pocket and severed the head with it.
Collis placed the head in a basket and walk around until Police-constable Cook turned up.
Charles Henry Cook was the Police-constable called by Warren the young farm labourer, of an incident at Hill Farm. He went on his bicycle, and on arriving there he met Samuel Collis, who he knew very well, at the gate with a bowl under his left arm and some dead chickens and a gun barrel in his right hand.
Cook said. “What have you been up to Sam?" Collis replied, “I have shot a sheep, and here is the head,” showing him the bowl at the same time. Cook at first thought it was a sheep's head, but on looking closer saw it was the head of Robert John Cockrill, whom he also knew well.
Cook said. “Whatever have you been doing? You have killed poor old Cockrill.” Collis replied, “I shot a cock pheasant, and he came down with it.” Cook said, “What shall I do?” Collis replied, “Let me kiss you.” Cook drew back, noticing a carving knife sticking out of his inside coat pocket. Cook took the knife and gun away from him, Collis shouted out, “I am going to have that knife.” Cook replied, “If you come near me I shall knock you down.”
Cook persuaded him to go to the back of the house. Where he knocked and called for assistance. Eventually, Mrs Turpin (Collis's sister) came out and he handed her the weapons, at the same time, Collis made off over the gate and across a field, Cook gave chase, who eventually caught Collis up and said. “It is no use your running, you will not get away from me.” Collis then drew a revolver, and Cook told him he would knock him down if he did not put it away.
Collis replied, “I'll shoot you if you touch me.” Cook made a rush at him and threatened to split his head open with his truncheon. Collis said. “For God’s sake don't hit me like that,” putting his revolver in his pocket at the same time.
Cook threw him to the ground and took the revolver from him. He sat upon him and called out for help, he knew Warren wasn’t far away, who turned up within a minute or two, followed shortly by three other labourers’, there found some rope to tie him with, and place him in a horse and cart and taken to the police station.
The Inquest was held on Thursday evening the 3rd of September, the jury returned a verdict of murder on Wednesday morning the 2nd September 1896, by Samuel Bentall Collis. Collis had said he knew he had swallowed an egg.
Samuel Collis was certified insane and removed to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, on Tuesday the 15th September 1896. He died inside Broadmoor on the 23rd May 1899, from uremic coma.
He left in his will £259 12s. 9d., to his mother Susannah Collis.
The Hero:
Charles Henry Cook 1867-1931
The son of Marshall Cook 1817-1895, who was baptized 28th June 1817, at Lawford in Essex. The son of John and Sarah. A farm labourer, who spent 7 years in the Grenadier Guards, before joining the Essex Police Force in 1847, he was stationed at Braintree, East Hanningfield, Bumpstead and Toppsefield for 28 years.
He married Jane Page on the 16th December 1850, at St. Botolph without Bishopsgate, in the City of London. Marshall and Jane had fourteen children between 1851–1873.
In 1876 Marshall was transferred to Stebbing in Essex, living at Bran End, he retired seven years later 1883, after serving 36 years in the Essex Police Force.
Marshall died at Bran-end on Friday the 6th of September 1895.
Charles Henry Cook, the tenth child of Marshall and Jane, was born in 1867 at Toppesfield. After his schooling, Charles worked as a gardener’s boy.
He joined the Essex Police Force in February 1888 and was stationed at Chelmsford, Brentwood, Saffron Walden, Halstead, Pebmarsh, Maldon, Clacton, Braintree, Brightlingsea, and Lower Kirby, Romford.
October 1888, Cook was assaulted by John Harrod, at Warley Road, Brentwood, while in the execution of his duties. Harrod was sentenced to one months’ hard labour.
1889, Cook, married Sarah Deer, who was born the 11th April 1869, at Prittlewell Essex. The daughter, and youngest of eleven children born to William Edmund a waterman and Mary Ann Goodman.
A daughter Lily Alma was born on the 1st September 1890 and baptised on the 19th October 1890, at Saffron Walden in Essex. Lily a cook married Joseph Henry Holliday in 1919, the marriage didn't last and within a year Joseph had fathered a daughter “Queenie” by another woman named Zillah Currington, who he married in 1950.
Joseph died on the 4th April 1953 at East Ham Memorial Hospital in London, three months' after Lily who died on the19th January 1953 at 112 Cromwell Road, Greys in Essex.
June 1891, Cook arrested Robert Emmerson a young labourer, with being drunk and disorderly in Halstead High-street, Cook had said Emmerson was wanting to fight a young man named Harding. It was the tenth charge against him. Sentenced to 21 days’ hard labour.
A son Sidney Vincent was baptised on the 28th February 1892, at Halstead in Essex. Carpenter and builder.
Sergeant Sidney Vincent Cook of the South Staffordshire Regiment was severely wounded in both legs in France on 26th October 1917. He died later the same day.
Samuel Spooner, a labourer of Pebmarsh, was fined 2s. 6d., and 13s. 6d., costs for striking Mr Samuel Collis, with a stick, as he was riding through the village on his horse soon after 10 p.m., on the 22nd of April 1894. Collis reported the assault to P.C. Cook, who went after the gang that night.
William Spooner, his brother refused to go home quietly, and flew at Cook, and knock him to the ground, it had been said William Spooner was a dangerous character, when in drink. He was sentenced to three months’.
February 1895, he discovered the body of 50-year-old George Gilbey a farm labourer, who was found dead in bed at a cottage in Pebmarsh, where he lived alone. He had been dead for about two days.
March 1896, he saved William Weavers a labourer aged 65, from hanging himself. Certified insane, Weavers was removed to the County Asylum at Brentwood.
Awarded the Star of Merit the policeman’s V.C., for his part in arresting Samuel Collis. He was also made acting-sergeant.
A son Stanley Charles was born the 10th March 1897, at Pebmarsh in Essex. A Baker assistant/police constable at Wickford and security officer. Married Jean G Tomlinson in 1922 at Romford in Essex. Stanley died in 1991 at Ipswich in Suffolk.
Tried June/July 1899 Charles Henry Cook, Acting-Sergeant was charged by William and Abraham Bocking labourers’ of Maplestead with assault.
On Good Friday 1899, at the Cock Inn, Little Maplestead, Cook was on duty outside at 9 p.m., when a fight broke out.
The Chairman and Magistrate had come to the conclusion that it was a very disgraceful affair, but the evidence was so very conflicting that they felt they had no course but to dismiss the case. A charge of assault by Cook against Robert Bocking was also withdrawn.
April-June 1899 Cook was transferred from Pebmarsh to Maldon before the case went to trial.
A daughter Dorothy May was born on the 24th October 1902 at Brightlingsea in Essex. She married Alfred Payne in 1926, Dorothy died in 1978.
March 1907 Transfer Brightlingsea to Kirby
Charles Lock, a labourer and Walter Brown a bricklayer, were charged with having been drunk and disorderly on the Brightlingsea, Recreation Ground, on Christmas Day 1904, Brown was further charged with obstructing P.C. Cook in the execution of his duty, during a football match, in watch Lock and Brown were so troublesome that the game was stopped.
The police ejected Lock from the ground. Brown, in turn, put his arm around P.C. Cook’s neck and dragged him away from Lock. Cook hit Brown in the eye.
Walter Henry Rowe, a bricklayer’s labourer said that in his opinion the policemen started the row.
Both were fined 10s., with 5s., costs. Brown was also fined £1 with 4s., costs for the obstruction.
After an incident in June 1909, while stationed at Lower Kirby, Cook was fined £5 or one months with hard labour, for assaulting Walter White, a greengrocer, of Kirby. It was alleged that the constable knocked White down, breaking his collar bone.
July 1909 Transfer from Kirby to Romford.
Saturday the 1st of November 1913, at High Street, Romford a horse and trap, took fright and bolted, coming to a stop in a jewellery shop at South Street. The horse’s head was fixed in the window. P.C. Cook, drew the animal back and held it until the harness was freed. The horse was badly cut and had to receive veterinary attention.
Saturday Night Affray the 17th June 1916, Romford. Alfred William Finch, labourer aged 22, George Fitzgibbons, a carpenter aged 37, and William Isaacs a horseman aged 18, were charged with assaulting P.C. Cook, and Emily Finch age 35, and Agnes Saggers age 32 were charged with obstructing P.C. Cook.
Finch: fined £2 or a month.
Fitzgibbons: fined £2 or 14 days.
Isaacs: fined 10s., or 7 days.
The two women fined 20s., or 14 days.
Romford October 1916. Private Frederick Anderson and Private William Shaw, both Romford men were charged with assaulting P.C. Cook, Anderson was also charged with being drunk and disorderly.
On Sunday the 22nd of October 1916, at the corner of Mawneys Road, Romford. P.C. Cook told Anderson who was drunk to go home. Anderson went away but a relative of his started arguing with Cook. Anderson came back and challenged P.C. Cook to a fight.
Cook had a big reputation, and would never turn down a fight. It brought him respect from all walks of life, and after 28 years in the Police force, someone was always ready to take it away from him.
Anderson struck Cook, and then bolted, came back and struck him again, a rough and tumble ensuing in the road, Anderson got the better of Cook, when Special Constable Adams, come on the scene, he hit Anderson on the jaw and knocked him down. He was handcuffed with great difficulty and taken away.
Shaw then struck Cook, knocking him down, and kicking him when on the ground in a very cowardly and dangerous manner.
Both men were sentenced to six months’ hard labour.
P.C. Cook returned back to work on the 19th of February 1917.
After his retirement from the Essex Police Force in January 1919, Cook took a job as a Bailiff’s officer at the Romford County Court.
Charles Henry Cook died at Oldchurch Hospital in July 1931, he had lived at 58 Willow Street, Romford, since he moved to Romford in 1909. He was taken ill while at work on Saturday the 25th July 1931, he was removed to the Hospital on Sunday awaiting an operation. He died before it could be performed. His burial took place on Saturday, the 1st August 1931, at Romford Cemetery.
He married Jane Page on the 16th December 1850, at St. Botolph without Bishopsgate, in the City of London. Marshall and Jane had fourteen children between 1851–1873.
In 1876 Marshall was transferred to Stebbing in Essex, living at Bran End, he retired seven years later 1883, after serving 36 years in the Essex Police Force.
Marshall died at Bran-end on Friday the 6th of September 1895.
Charles Henry Cook, the tenth child of Marshall and Jane, was born in 1867 at Toppesfield. After his schooling, Charles worked as a gardener’s boy.
He joined the Essex Police Force in February 1888 and was stationed at Chelmsford, Brentwood, Saffron Walden, Halstead, Pebmarsh, Maldon, Clacton, Braintree, Brightlingsea, and Lower Kirby, Romford.
October 1888, Cook was assaulted by John Harrod, at Warley Road, Brentwood, while in the execution of his duties. Harrod was sentenced to one months’ hard labour.
1889, Cook, married Sarah Deer, who was born the 11th April 1869, at Prittlewell Essex. The daughter, and youngest of eleven children born to William Edmund a waterman and Mary Ann Goodman.
A daughter Lily Alma was born on the 1st September 1890 and baptised on the 19th October 1890, at Saffron Walden in Essex. Lily a cook married Joseph Henry Holliday in 1919, the marriage didn't last and within a year Joseph had fathered a daughter “Queenie” by another woman named Zillah Currington, who he married in 1950.
Joseph died on the 4th April 1953 at East Ham Memorial Hospital in London, three months' after Lily who died on the19th January 1953 at 112 Cromwell Road, Greys in Essex.
June 1891, Cook arrested Robert Emmerson a young labourer, with being drunk and disorderly in Halstead High-street, Cook had said Emmerson was wanting to fight a young man named Harding. It was the tenth charge against him. Sentenced to 21 days’ hard labour.
A son Sidney Vincent was baptised on the 28th February 1892, at Halstead in Essex. Carpenter and builder.
Sergeant Sidney Vincent Cook of the South Staffordshire Regiment was severely wounded in both legs in France on 26th October 1917. He died later the same day.
Samuel Spooner, a labourer of Pebmarsh, was fined 2s. 6d., and 13s. 6d., costs for striking Mr Samuel Collis, with a stick, as he was riding through the village on his horse soon after 10 p.m., on the 22nd of April 1894. Collis reported the assault to P.C. Cook, who went after the gang that night.
William Spooner, his brother refused to go home quietly, and flew at Cook, and knock him to the ground, it had been said William Spooner was a dangerous character, when in drink. He was sentenced to three months’.
February 1895, he discovered the body of 50-year-old George Gilbey a farm labourer, who was found dead in bed at a cottage in Pebmarsh, where he lived alone. He had been dead for about two days.
March 1896, he saved William Weavers a labourer aged 65, from hanging himself. Certified insane, Weavers was removed to the County Asylum at Brentwood.
Awarded the Star of Merit the policeman’s V.C., for his part in arresting Samuel Collis. He was also made acting-sergeant.
A son Stanley Charles was born the 10th March 1897, at Pebmarsh in Essex. A Baker assistant/police constable at Wickford and security officer. Married Jean G Tomlinson in 1922 at Romford in Essex. Stanley died in 1991 at Ipswich in Suffolk.
Tried June/July 1899 Charles Henry Cook, Acting-Sergeant was charged by William and Abraham Bocking labourers’ of Maplestead with assault.
On Good Friday 1899, at the Cock Inn, Little Maplestead, Cook was on duty outside at 9 p.m., when a fight broke out.
The Chairman and Magistrate had come to the conclusion that it was a very disgraceful affair, but the evidence was so very conflicting that they felt they had no course but to dismiss the case. A charge of assault by Cook against Robert Bocking was also withdrawn.
April-June 1899 Cook was transferred from Pebmarsh to Maldon before the case went to trial.
A daughter Dorothy May was born on the 24th October 1902 at Brightlingsea in Essex. She married Alfred Payne in 1926, Dorothy died in 1978.
March 1907 Transfer Brightlingsea to Kirby
Charles Lock, a labourer and Walter Brown a bricklayer, were charged with having been drunk and disorderly on the Brightlingsea, Recreation Ground, on Christmas Day 1904, Brown was further charged with obstructing P.C. Cook in the execution of his duty, during a football match, in watch Lock and Brown were so troublesome that the game was stopped.
The police ejected Lock from the ground. Brown, in turn, put his arm around P.C. Cook’s neck and dragged him away from Lock. Cook hit Brown in the eye.
Walter Henry Rowe, a bricklayer’s labourer said that in his opinion the policemen started the row.
Both were fined 10s., with 5s., costs. Brown was also fined £1 with 4s., costs for the obstruction.
After an incident in June 1909, while stationed at Lower Kirby, Cook was fined £5 or one months with hard labour, for assaulting Walter White, a greengrocer, of Kirby. It was alleged that the constable knocked White down, breaking his collar bone.
July 1909 Transfer from Kirby to Romford.
Saturday the 1st of November 1913, at High Street, Romford a horse and trap, took fright and bolted, coming to a stop in a jewellery shop at South Street. The horse’s head was fixed in the window. P.C. Cook, drew the animal back and held it until the harness was freed. The horse was badly cut and had to receive veterinary attention.
Saturday Night Affray the 17th June 1916, Romford. Alfred William Finch, labourer aged 22, George Fitzgibbons, a carpenter aged 37, and William Isaacs a horseman aged 18, were charged with assaulting P.C. Cook, and Emily Finch age 35, and Agnes Saggers age 32 were charged with obstructing P.C. Cook.
Finch: fined £2 or a month.
Fitzgibbons: fined £2 or 14 days.
Isaacs: fined 10s., or 7 days.
The two women fined 20s., or 14 days.
Romford October 1916. Private Frederick Anderson and Private William Shaw, both Romford men were charged with assaulting P.C. Cook, Anderson was also charged with being drunk and disorderly.
On Sunday the 22nd of October 1916, at the corner of Mawneys Road, Romford. P.C. Cook told Anderson who was drunk to go home. Anderson went away but a relative of his started arguing with Cook. Anderson came back and challenged P.C. Cook to a fight.
Cook had a big reputation, and would never turn down a fight. It brought him respect from all walks of life, and after 28 years in the Police force, someone was always ready to take it away from him.
Anderson struck Cook, and then bolted, came back and struck him again, a rough and tumble ensuing in the road, Anderson got the better of Cook, when Special Constable Adams, come on the scene, he hit Anderson on the jaw and knocked him down. He was handcuffed with great difficulty and taken away.
Shaw then struck Cook, knocking him down, and kicking him when on the ground in a very cowardly and dangerous manner.
Both men were sentenced to six months’ hard labour.
P.C. Cook returned back to work on the 19th of February 1917.
After his retirement from the Essex Police Force in January 1919, Cook took a job as a Bailiff’s officer at the Romford County Court.
Charles Henry Cook died at Oldchurch Hospital in July 1931, he had lived at 58 Willow Street, Romford, since he moved to Romford in 1909. He was taken ill while at work on Saturday the 25th July 1931, he was removed to the Hospital on Sunday awaiting an operation. He died before it could be performed. His burial took place on Saturday, the 1st August 1931, at Romford Cemetery.