The final chart covers the most recent three generations, starting in 1906, and ending with the new generation.

Thomas Leslie COOKER (Born 23 June 1906) at St. Peter St., Maidstone.

Thomas left Maidstone sometime in the twenties to come to London where he went into the Public House trade, in which he worked all his life except for his service in the Royal Air Force.

The photo below was probably taken at Burham Dad is fourth from the left in the back row and Uncle Bob is third from the left in the second row.

He met my mother, Agnes FitzGerald, from Clonmel, Tipperary, Ireland whilst they were working together.

They were married at Our Lady of the Rosary, Marleybone Road, London on the 12th June 1933. I was born on the 6th June 1938 at Lambeth, their only child. The picture below was taken at their wedding : 12th June 1933 : Back Row: A friend, Mum's employer, Dad, Mum and Alice Cooker (see previous chart): Front Row: A friend, James and Mary FitzGerald (Mum's brother and sister)

They took over a Public House called "The Bull" in the City of London sometime before the war was declared.

In 1940 Thomas was called up and served in the Royal Air Force until the end of hostilities. He was awarded the Defence and War Medals. He did not go abroad but spent his time on the ground crew at various RAF stations around the country. It was part of his job to get aircrews out of planes if they crash landed and once they only got away to the edge of the airfield when the plane blew up. Below: Dad on completion of his RAF Training Course, on right in front row.

Below is a photograph of dad just prior to his release from the RAF and I.

Whilst dad was away mum ran "The Bull" on her own which together with the bombing was a great strain. Then when dad returned there was a recession in the Public House Trade which induced them to give up "The Bull" although they continued to work in the Public House trade.

Dad died in Battersea on the 15th August 1972, and Mum at Balham on the 8th August 1979.

Thomas Laurence COOKER (Born 6 June 1938 at Lambeth)

After completing my education I worked in the City before enlisting in the Irish Guards, I was due for call-up for National Service so decided not to wait and volunteered.

I served eight years altogether and saw service in Cyprus and Germany. It was whilst I was serving that I met Joan Murphy, an Irish girl from Roxboro, Co. Roscommon. We were married on the 21st October 1961 at Saint Cecilia's, Cheam.

I was posted to Germany in November 1961 and Joan joined me in April 1962. Our son, Thomas Leslie, was born in the RAF hospital, Wegberg on the 3rd March 1963. We returned from Germany in late 1964 and in March 1965 I left the army. I worked initially for the Post Office as an Overseas Telegraph Operator. Our daughter, Jane Ellen, was born on the 19th September 1966 at the Saint Helier Hospital, Carshalton.

Joan in 1962 (Germany) Curiosity - what's mum got in her purse ?

After leaving the Post Office I worked briefly as a Telex Operator before resuming Accountancy work. I retired from Racal Decca in May 1997 and am proposing to use my retirement to study at the Open University.

Joan in the Garden with Tommy and Jane - (World Cup Year 1970 - hence the football)

Thomas Leslie COOKER (Born 3rd March 1963 at RAF Hospital. Wegberg, Germany)

Tommy was educated at the Richard Challoner School, New Malden. He now works as a Computer Office Manager. He married Jo-Anne Collyer on the 1st July 1994 at Darrane Church, Roscommon, Ireland, which is the Church Joan's family has worshipped at for years. It contains this memorial window for her grandparents which was put in by her father.

Darrane Church from the fields.

Under the Memorial Window

Tommy and Jo-Anne have two sons, Paul Michael Cooker, born 15th January 1996 at Saint Helier's Hospital, Carshalton and Samuel Thomas Cooker, born 10th November, 1997, also at Saint Helier's.

Jane Ellen COOKER (Born 19th September 1966 at Saint Helier Hospital, Carshalton.

Jane was educated at Saint Philomena's School, Carshalton. She studied Shorthand and Typing and worked as a secretary. She married Peter John Fowler at Saint Christopher's Church, Cheam Village on the 18th July 1987. They have two daughters Gemma Anne Fowler, born 15th September 1991 at Saint Helier's Hospital, Carshalton and Kerry Jane Fowler, born 15th October, 1993, also at Saint Helier's.

back to top