A Family Deeply Rooted in Wotton‑under‑Edge

John James “Jim” Cooke grew up in a proud Wotton‑under‑Edge family whose story reflects both the hardship and the resilience of wartime Britain. His father, James Cooke, served with the 5th Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) before returning home to become the landlord of The Royal Oak, one of the town’s most familiar and well‑loved pubs.

Jim was the elder brother to Charlie Cooke, who would later follow him into the Royal Navy. Their younger sister Doris appears frequently in the surviving wartime letters — a warm reminder of the family affection that stretched across oceans during the war years.

Thanks to the care of local residents, photographs of Jim and Charlie have been preserved, giving a face to the names and stories that shaped the town’s wartime experience.

A Story Passed Down Through Neighbours

One of the most touching aspects of the Cooke family’s legacy is how it has been kept alive. Charlie Cooke lived in Venns Acre near Steph Joynson, who in 2025 took on the role as the Wotton Poppy Appeal Organiser. Steph remembers Charlie fondly and has shared the Cooke family’s story, along with the treasured photographs and letters that survived.

This connection is made even more meaningful by the fact that Steph’s own father is also a Royal Navy veteran. The Cooke brothers’ story resonates deeply with her, linking the service of past generations to those who continue to serve today.

Through Steph’s efforts, the Cooke family’s experiences, once private memories, have become part of Wotton’s shared remembrance.

Jim Cooke’s Service in the Royal Navy

Jim joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 1st Class, a physically demanding and often dangerous role. Working deep within the submarine’s engine room, he endured sweltering heat, cramped conditions, and the constant threat of enemy action.

He served aboard HMS Sickle, an S‑class submarine operating in the Mediterranean — one of the most perilous theatres of the war. Submariners faced mines, aircraft, patrol boats, and the ever‑present danger of mechanical failure. Their missions were carried out in silence and secrecy, often with little recognition.

The Loss of HMS Sickle

On 18 June 1944, HMS Sickle was lost with all hands. Jim was just 20 years old.

The exact cause of the sinking remains unknown, but the most widely accepted theory is that the submarine struck a mine while returning from patrol near the Greek islands. No survivors were ever found, and the submarine’s final resting place has never been conclusively identified.

For the Cooke family, the loss was devastating — one son taken by the war, another still serving at sea.

Charlie Cooke’s Service and Long Life

Unlike his older brother, Charlie survived the war. He served in the Royal Navy aboard aircraft carriers, a very different but equally vital role in the fight for control of the seas. Life on a carrier brought its own dangers, aircraft operations, enemy attacks, and the constant movement of a floating airfield, but Charlie came home safely.

One surviving newspaper report even tells of another Wotton lad, Able Seaman Geoffrey Worley, who unexpectedly bumped into Charlie on one of the ships he was posted to, later writing home to his parents about the joy of seeing a familiar face so far from Gloucestershire.

He returned to Wotton‑under‑Edge, where he lived a long and happy life. His memories, stories, and photographs helped preserve Jim’s legacy, ensuring that his brother’s sacrifice was never forgotten. Charlie’s friendship with neighbours like Steph Joynson helped keep the family’s wartime experiences alive long after the conflict ended.

A Legacy Preserved in Letters and Photographs

The Cooke family’s wartime correspondence offers a rare and intimate glimpse into their lives, especially the letters Jim wrote to his younger sister Doris, filled with warmth, humour, and the optimism of a young man far from home.

These cherished notes sit alongside memories of life at The Royal Oak, where their father kept the pub running, and stories of Charlie’s naval service aboard aircraft carriers.

Together with the photographs now shared within the community, these letters and recollections ensure that Jim and Charlie are remembered not just as servicemen, but as sons, brothers, and friends whose lives remain woven into the story of Wotton‑under‑Edge.

Wotton‑under‑Edge Remembers

Jim Cooke’s name is carved into the Wotton‑under‑Edge War Memorial, one of the fifteen local men who lost their lives in the Second World War. His story, now enriched by the memories preserved by neighbours and family friends, stands as a testament to the town’s enduring commitment to remembrance.

Charlie is buried at St Marys’ Wotton, in the carefully tended ashes plots.

Through the efforts of people like Steph Joynson, and through the service of families like the Cookes, Wotton‑under‑Edge continues to honour its past while inspiring future generations to remember the cost of peace.