F/O W.M.Crook from Kirkham,Lancashire

[Ad van Zantvoort]

Hello,  Next year 22 June 2019 we will erect an RAF Memorial on the spot at Riethoven (Holland)where on the 22nd June 1944 a 44 Squadron Lancaster LM592 crashed which took the lives of the entire crew. Amongst them 22 year old Wireless Operator F/O Walter Marshall Crook from Kirkham,Lancashire who was the son of Arthur and Mary Crook. Walter Crook was married with Dorothy Crook of Kirkham,Lancashire. Walter rest at Eindhoven Woensel cemetery. We are in touch with the relatives of the pilot E.A.Canty from Australia and we would like to get in touch with the relatives of the entire crew to make it possible that they could attend the memorial service.
Thank you so much for your help,
Adrian

[JJen]

Hi Adrian,

Marriage -

Walter M Crook
q1 1943, Fylde
Vol 8e Page 1159

You will be able to find Dorothy's maiden name from the above info. (won't post her name as she may still be with us)

JJ

[JJen]

Have looked for a birth of this marriage but cannot see one after their marriage, however there is a birth in q2 1942 Lancaster before the marriage which has the surname Crook with the maiden name of Dorothy. Might be worth further investigation.

JJ

[JJen]

It doesn't look as if Walter had any siblings 

JJ

[Ad van Zantvoort]

Oepssss....... that would be a pitty!!!  Well you cannot have everything. Hopefully some one showed up as to know the family or else.

Many Thanks for your kind help anyway,
Adrian

[Maiden Stone]

Have you contacted Kirkham Town Council? Address Community Centre, Mill Street, Kirkham, Lancashire, PR4 2AN.
Website https://www.kirkhamtowncouncil.co.uk
 History section of website has a short history of RAF Kirkham 1940-1957. Look at "Kirkham Covenant Project 2016" in "Events and Projects" section. There you will see the present mayor working on a Remembrance project last month. You may like to write to him.

Kirkham Covenant Project has a website https://www.kirkhamcovenant2016.co.uk
See Armed Forces section. It includes a request for anyone who has information, images or anecdotes about armed forces connection to Kirkham to get in touch. There is a contact form.

There are some photographs of Kirkham war memorial on Stonechaser.blogspot.com/2012/12
The blog lists all names on the memorial.

Several of my mother's ancestors were from Kirkham parish. Many surnames on the memorial are familiar.

[Ad van Zantvoort]

Hi Maiden stone. I haven't contacted Kirkham Town council or Kirkham Covenant Project either but I will. Many Thanks for your contribution. I let you know the outcome.

Regards,
Adrian

[Ad van Zantvoort]

Have contacted the mayor of Kirkham, and also the Kirkham Covenant Project. Keep you all informed.
Cheers,
Adrian

[Maiden Stone]

Walter & Dorothy's marriage was at Kirkham United Reformed Church.
Walter's parents married at the same church; marriage registered 1918.
A Dorothy Crook married at Kirkham United Reformed Church; marriage registered 1947.
There may have been 2 sons born of the 1947 marriage. Birth registrations of both boys appear twice in Lancashire BMD index, once with mother's maiden surname Crook and once with mother's maiden surname which is same as Walter's wife's surname. These are both common surnames so it may be coincidence. I've sent Ad a pm about the 2 sons. 

Graveyard for Kirkham United Reformed Church is the former Zion Chapel churchyard, Back Lane, Kirkham. Only registers on Lancashire Online Parish Clerks from Kirkham United Reform Church are from 19th century. Edit. Correction: Register was from Zion Chapel. Several Crook baptisms in it.