COOK, George "Wallace"

Memorial services for Wallace Cook will be held at the ME Church Sunday evening at 7 o'clock in charge of Rev. JB Johnson. For that reason, services at Potato Creek will be held Sunday morning.

The stern realities of war and the supreme sacrifice that so many boys are making, was again brought home to this community when it became known that Wallace Cook, another Darlington boy had give up his life in the service. The information was contained in the following letters received Monday morning by his sister, Mrs. Burgia Blanton, from the Brigadier General of the 34th Division and the Colonel of the 109th Engineers of which Wallace was a member.

--Headquarters 34th Division at Sea Sept 28, 1918 -- Mrs. Burgia Blanton, Crawfordsville, Ind.

My Dear Mrs. Blanton. From official records I learn that you are a sister of Wallace G. Cook a member of the 109th Regiment of Engineers in this Division and who died at 7 o'clock AM today. He has as truly given his life for his country as though he had been killed in battle. In your great sorrow there must be real comfort in knowing that your brother was a good soldier and he gave his life in the line of duty, in loyalty to the noble principles that have made our country glorious and worthy of the greatest sacrifices. In the name of the 34th Division in which your brother faithfully served and as its Commanding General, I offer deep sympathy and condolence. Sincerely, John A. Johnson Brigadier General USA.

--Headquarters 109th Regiment Engineers At Sea - Sept 28, 1918

Miss Burgia Blanton, Crawfordsville, Ind -- My Dear Mrs. Blanton,

I am deeply sorry to be obliged to confirm the notice of the death of your brother, Wallace G. Cook, Co. B who died at sea of pneumonia at 7 o'clock a.m. September 28, 1918. He was taken ill on shipboard and suffered but a few days, and all that was possible was done for him. During his brief illness he bravely maintained that uncomplaining and cheerful spirit of a good soldier which has characterized his entire services in the regiment. Due to circumstances over which we had no control, it was necessary to bury his body at sea, the services being conducted with full military honor and naval courtesy. The exact latitude and longitude has been recorded and may be obtained after the war from the British Admirality, London, our voyage having been made in an English ship. The Officers and men of his Regiment offer their sympathy in your hour of sadness and I assure you that the sacrifice made by your brother, their comrade in arms, will have a place of permanence in their remembrance. His name is on the honor roll of his Regiment. With sincere sympathy, Yours very truly, Frederick B. Downing, Col. 109th Engrs.

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Wallace Cook was born near Darlington in 1893 and was the son of Lincoln and Alice Cook. All his life, previous to his enlistment in the army was spent in Darlington and this vicinity. When the US entered the war, he and his brother Melvin enlisted in Co C at Crawfordsville and with a number of other Darlington boys, was for a time at Gary, and Jeffersonville. He was later transferred to the 150th Field Artillery and was in training at Ft. Harrison and Camp Mills. Private Cook sailed for France with the Rainbow Division last summer. Shortly after his arrival in France, he was taken to a hospital for an operation. Recovering from this, he rejoined his company and went to the battle front. While there, sleeping in a dug-out, he contracted a severe case of tonsilitis. This later developed into complications which sent him to a base hospital and finally back to the US. He spent five weeks in a hospital in Baltimore and recovered sufficiently to be allowed to come home on a short visit, arriving here Thursday June 27. The following Sunday a reception was held at the gymnasium to welcome him back home and to show the appreciation of the service he has rendered. Between six and seven hundred people attended and hear Pvt. Cook speak for nearly an hour of his experiences in France. After spending 10 days here he returned to Baltimore. His devotion to the cause of justice can not be more plainly shown than by his determination to again join the ranks and return to France. He was ready and anxious to reenter the conflict and after his return to Baltimore tried for enlistment in 7 different branches of the service before he finally was acept by the 109th Engineers. He is survived by his father who resides at Crawfordsville; two sisters, Mrs. Laura Butcher of San Francisco and Mrs. Burgia Blanton of near Darlington and one brother Melvin of San Francisco, who was honorable discharged from the army on account of ill health. His mother died in 1899 and his sister Stella the following year. An appreciation memorial service will be held for Pvt Cook as soon as the ban on public gatherings is lifted.