Cook, Harold and Doris (nee Smith)

Notes on Cook, Harold and Doris (nee Smith)

See interview tapes 47 and 48.

And photos M2860-M2877, belonging to Mrs Cook but on loan to Roy Poulter who lent them to me to copy.

Birth and marriage
Harold born c 1907, Chelmsford
Doris born c 1912, Streatham, London
They married quite late in life  – probably 1960s.

Parents
Doris’s mother (Emily Smith) died in 1940 at age of 56, and father (George Smith) in 1956 at age of 76.

Brothers and sisters
Harold had one brother (went into motor engineering) and one sister.(started as cashier in shops then when married went to Clacton)

Residences

Cooks lived at butcher’s shop at Chelmsford when Harold born (1907). Lots of moving about (Harold said about 14 moves). Then to farm at White Notley. Then in 1924 to Witham, firstly at 13 Newland Street. Then to High House, 5 Newland Street. Also probably had the Retreat in Maldon Road, and joined all together, using land as ‘farmery’ for animals etc.. Then built house and shop on east side of High House in 1936, with slaughterhouse, piggeries, garages, smoke house etc. behind. Left when retired in 1966.

Smiths to Witham from Streatham in about 1917/1918. First at Lenny’s farm in Bridge Street (site of Sports Centre 1974 till c 2013). Then in about 1929 to Kingswood, Hatfield Road.

School
Doris went to National School.

Jobs

Harold helped on farm at White Notley to start with, then from 1924 helped father in butcher’s shop at Witham till just before Second World War when his father’s health failed and Harold took over till retired in 1966 through ill health.

Doris first worked for W and E King’s sweet shop from 1927/28, at 13 Newland Street. Left in about 1932 to look after her mother who died in 1940. Then went to help Harold in the butcher’s shop in 1941 and continued till he retired in 1966.

Extracts from relevant documents

1920 electoral register
No Cook in Newland Street.
Lenney’s Farm, Bridge Street: George Smith, George Smith junior


1930 electoral register

5 Newland Street: Hedley George Cook, Sarah Ann Cook, Harold Hedley Cook.

Kingswood, Hatfield Road: George Smith, Emily Smith, George William Smith


1938 electoral register

5 Newland Street: Hedley George Cook, Sarah Ann Cook, Harold Hedley Cook, Geoffrey George Cook.

Kingswood, Hatfield Road: George Smith, Emily Smith, George William Smith, George William Smith junior, Doris Emily Smith, Harry Asling.

1947 electoral register

5 Newland Street: Harold H Cook, Sarah A Cook

Kingswood, Hatfield Road: George Smith, Doris Smith.

1961 electoral register

5 Newland Street: Harold H Cook, Sarah A Cook.

41 Hatfield Road: George W Smith, Doris E Smith, Stella F Smith.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *