Harry Theodore Hook ⁵

   Cause of his death was Pulminary Tuberculosis.

  Medical Notes:

According to death certificate, was suffering from Pulmonary Tuberculosis for 2 years prior to death.

Mustard Gas (Yperite) was first used by the German Army in September 1917. The most lethal of all the poisonous chemicals used during the war, it was almost odourless and took twelve hours to take effect. Yperite was so powerful that only small amounts had to be added to high explosive shells to be effective. Once in the soil, mustard gas remained active for several weeks.

The skin of victims of mustard gas blistered, the eyes became very sore and they began to vomit. Mustard gas caused internal and external bleeding and attacked the bronchial tubes, stripping off the mucous membrane. This was extremely painful and most soldiers had to be strapped to their beds. It usually took a person four or five weeks to die of mustard gas poisoning. One nurse, Vera Brittain, wrote: "I wish those people who talk about going on with this war whatever it costs could see the soldiers suffering from mustard gas poisoning. Great mustard-coloured blisters, blind eyes, all sticky and stuck together, always fighting for breath, with voices a mere whisper, saying that their throats are closing and they know they will choke."
⁷

  Noted events in his life were:

• Residence: 787 Fulham Road, 1883 Jan 1, Fulham, Middlesex, England. ⁶

• Occupation: Clerk, 1901 Jan 12, Chiswick, Middlesex, England. ⁴

• Residence: 573 High Road, 1901 Jan 12, Chiswick, Middlesex, England. ⁴

• Residence: 46 Newton Avenue, 1901 May 31, Acton, Middlesex, England. ⁸

• Residence: 9 Ramsgate, 1904 May 21, Louth, Lincoln, England. ⁹

• Occupation: Commercial traveller, 1904 May 21, Louth, Lincoln, England. ⁹

• Occupation: Licensed Victualler of the Cross Keys Pub, 1909 Dec 3, South Hammersmith, London, England. ¹⁰ The Cross Keys (57 Black Lion Lane, Hammersmith, W6 9BG Phone - 020 8748 3541) is a Fuller's house. It is quieter pub on a street of artisans' cottages. St. Peter's Church, its symbol - the crossed keys, is a stones throw away from the pub. Photographs taken in the late 19th century show how the pub has changed little in the past one hundred years. The entrance has tiles and etched glass from its Victorian roots. The front bar is plain and simple with a wooden floor and button-back leather bench seats. The back of the pub has been opened up and serves principally as a dining area. The food is simple fayre and most main courses are around a fiver. Families are welcome, but they don't dominate the pub

• Residence: 57 Black Lion Lane, 1909 Dec 3, South Hammersmith, London, England. ¹⁰

• Residence: 7 Eyot Gardens, 1911 Jun 9, South Hammersmith, London, England. ¹¹

• Occupation: electrician (journeyman), 1911 Jun 9, South Hammersmith, London, England. ¹¹

• Occupation: Motor Cab Driver, 1914 Mar 5. ²

• Residence: 5 Milton Road, 1914 Mar 5, Acton, Middlesex, England. ²

• Residence: 62 Shakespeare Road, 1920 May 14, Acton, Middlesex, England. ¹²

• Occupation: Motor Cab Driver (Army pensioner), 1921-1922, Acton, Middlesex, England. ^7,13

• Residence: 7 Brassie Avenue, 1921-1922, Acton, Middlesex, England. ^7,13,14

• Obituary: Acton Gazette, 1922, Acton, Middlesex, England. ¹⁴ There is a reference in the index to the Acton Gazette (the local
newspaper for Acton) to the death of one Mr Harry Theodore Hook of
Brassie Avenue in April 1922. It was stated that this was a case of
'death due to hardships during war'. It does not mention his profession,
though it does state that he saw military service from 1914-1919.

Yours sincerely
Dr Oates
Archivist

Harry married Ethel Mary Fillery, daughter of James Fillery and Fanny Louisa Ockenden, on 1901 Jan 12 in Edmonton, Middlesex, England.⁴ (Ethel Mary Fillery was born on 1883 Jan 14 in Crawley, Sussex, England,¹⁵ died on 1952 Apr 6 in Willowdale, York, Ontario, Canada and was buried in Prospect Cemetery, Section 22, Toronto.) The cause of her death was Stomach Cancer.

  Marriage Notes:

Marriage in the Register Office registered in the district of Edmonton in the County of Middlesex.

Witnesses: Emily Ockenden & ?? ⁴