there was a deep sadness at burlington st barracks,home of the 1/7th manchesters,at the loss of CSM 164 sydney cookson,captain smedley,who has been wounded at gallipoli,says that he was the most popular man in the battalion,he was 47 years old,and had been with the battalion for over 27yrs,he received his long service medal in the volunteers and his heart and soul were with the territorial movement,CSM cookson was the foreman upholsterer at drurys,st.anns square,where his death,is deeply mourned,capt smedley says of his death,he was loved by all in D.coy,i dont know where i will find a man to fill his place,he died like a brave man,helping his comrades,many of whom shared his fate.
to give an indication of his popularity,when war was declared and we were asked to volunteer,not one single man in the company did so,but as soon as they found out that sgt/major cookson had volunteered,every single man stepped forward,stating,we will follow the sgt/major anywhere.
such was his popularity,the colonel asked him personally,if he would go abroad,and he did not hesitate
when he arrived in egypt,he became a firm favourite with all who met him,he sang in the choir at the cathedral at khartoum,the bishop of khartoum became quite attatched to him,he was very often invited to the residence of the sirdar,and delighted his audiences with his songs,he was a thoroughly efficient soldier and a great worker,he was connected to st.matthews church,deansgate,for over 40yrs,and sang with their choir for many years.
sgt/major cookson lived at 43 keppel rd,chorlton cum hardy
