lament for the sgt/major

[mack]

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

[mack]

sgt/major cookson married miss mary,elizabeth,lees Andrews at st.matthews church Manchester on 6th july 1896,the witnesses were his sister lily and her future husband Robert,lees Andrews[marys brother]they named one of their children Sydney,cookson Andrews,they also married at st.matthews on 9-9-1901

mack

[Duncan]

sgt/major cookson married miss mary,elizabeth,lees Andrews at st.matthews church Manchester on 6th july 1896,the witnesses were his sister lily and her future husband Robert,lees Andrews[marys brother]they named one of their children Sydney,cookson Andrews,they also married at st.matthews on 9-9-1901

mack

Sydney Cookson Andrews was my Father.
He worked in the family boot and shoe making business in Manchester before the Second World War and served in the Royal Tank Regiment. 
I was also named after my Great Uncle, Duncan Sydney Cookson Andrews. I served in the TA as did my uncle but I only attained the rank of Platoon Sgt!