COOK, Rollo Elmer

NAME:                               COOK                           Rollo Elmer
RANK:                                Private
DIVISIONAL UNIT:        3rd Canadian Infantry Division
                                             9th Infantry Brigade
                                             58th Battalion - Central Ontario
                                             Canadian Infantry Corps
SERVICE NO:                   654279
RESIDENCE:                    Seaforth – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            November 3, 1891
                                             Michigan – U.S.A
DATE OF DEATH:           September 29, 1918             26 years     10 months
CEMETERY:                     Anneux British Cemetery – Anneux –
                                             Nord – France
                                             II     D     18
PARENT:                           Mrs. Jane Cook – Seaforth – Ontario
Occupation:                        Farmer                                  Religion:      Church of England
Enlistment:                         Seaforth – January 14, 1916 – into 161st Huron Battalion
Enlistment Age:                 24 years     2 months

Private Cook and the 161st Battalion arrived in England on November 11, 1916 and a few weeks later on November 30, 1916 he transferred to the 58th Battalion, goes into France and joins his unit in the field on December 30, 1916.
At some point in either March or early April 1917 Private Cook was wounded in the left foot from shrapnel. He was transported to England aboard the hospital ship Princess Elizabeth on April 17th and admitted to New End Military Hospital at Hampstead (London) on April 18th. He was then transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bromley in Kent on May 19th and then moves to the 1st Canadian Convalescent Depot at St. Leonards and is discharged on July 17, 1917 and returns to his unit.
The 3rd & 4th Division would continue to attack the Marcoibg Line today and Command knew the troops were in a desperate fight. There was not a plan to move back only to advance and the 1st & 4th Divisions although weakened would attack.
They attacked down the Cambrai-Douai road to the north-west of Cambrai and they encountered enemy machine guns and barbed wire not cut. There were very heavy casualties for a few gains in territory. 
On September 29, 1918, the weather was bright and cool with winds from the north-west. Clouds began to move in later in the day.
Private Cook was killed in action as he stood on a railway embankment as his unit waited for another Brigade to pass through. This was near Fontaine Notre Dame during an attack on Cambrai. Enemy fire came down on their location and he died from severe wounds to the head.
During this day 17 men lost their lives, 75 were wounded and 8 missing.
In the morning, the attack resumed with the objective of clearing St. Olis, with the angle formed between the Bapaume-Cambrai and Arras-Cambrai Roads. Outposts were established south along the Marcoing Line to the Canal. By 3:00 pm St. Olis was taken.
“B” Company attacked south-east along the trench line and facing heavy opposition crossed the railroad and the Baupaume-Cambrai Road. The enemy counter-attacked but “D” Company reinforced “C” Company and even when driven back twice to the railroad, the Marcoing Line was cleared by 1:00 pm.
During this operation there was heavy enemy machine gun fire from houses and enfilade fire played havoc with the men trying to cross the railroad.