Cyril Ambrose Snook was born about Aug 1893 in Winchester, Hampshire, England. His father Alfred Ambrose Snook was a grocer but he died in 1898 when Cyril was 5 years old. His family was living at 53 St Catherines Road, Winchester when the 1891, 1901, and 1911 censuses were taken. In the 1901 Census Cyril, aged 7, is listed as a visitor of Alfred and Eunice savage of 1 Bridge Street, Winchester, with 3 of his sisters. In the same census his mother, Leah is recorded as being home at 53 St Catherines Road with the three older children. Maybe Mr and Mrs Savage family were helping out with the younger ones.
By the 1911 UK Census, Cyril, aged 17, was working as a clerk at the National Service League whilst living at home with his widowed mother at 53 St Catherines Road.
The inscription on the grave reads:
“In Loving Memory of Alfred Ambrose SN00K who fell asleep. Oct 6th 1898 aged 47 years. Also Leah wife. of Alfred Ambrose SNOOK who fell asleep. Dec 19th 1918 aged 57 years, also Serg. Cyril Ambrose SNOOK M.M. R.G.A. youngest son of the above who died at Deal on May 7th 1918 from wounds received in action aged 24 years. also of Gertrude Dorothy SUDUL daughter of the above. and beloved. wife. of Frank SUDUL who died April 1st 1938”
Sergeant Cyril Snook, 352341, served in 154th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.
Cyril enlisted in 1913 with the Royal Garrison Artillery.
Heavy Batteries RGA were equipped with heavy guns, usually, 60 pounder (5-inch) guns, although some had obsolescent 5-inch howitzers. The Heavy Batteries were often employed in destroying or neutralizing the enemy artillery, as well as putting destructive fire down on strongpoints, dumps, stores, roads, and railways behind enemy lines.
154th Heavy Battery was sent to France on 30 April 1916. On 27 July 1917, Bombardier (Acting Corporal) Snook was awarded the Military Medal for bravery (Gazette Page 7769) Sergeant
Snook was listed as wounded on three occasions: 21 August 1917, 29 October 1917, and 1 May 1918. The last wound sustained was a gunshot wound to the back which was to prove fatal. He died at Deal on 7 May 1918 aged 24 years. He was not married and his only listed dependent was his mother, Leah, who was awarded his pension on 12 November 1918. Leah died on 19 December 1918.
Cyril Snook is remembered on memorials at All Saints and Peter Symonds School.
Cyril Snook had a brother, Alfred Malcolm Snook, who also fought in the First World War. Alfred originally joined the Navy on 22 October 1917 (M28007) but transferred to the Royal Air Force on 1st April 1918 (313910). He survived the war, being transferred to the RAF Reserve 8th March 1919 and then discharged on 30 April 1920.
Thanks go to Stuart Adlam from the CWGC for supplying the above information.
The current condition of this monument is not great as the headstone fell over owing to the corrosion of retaining pegs. The current situation is shown below together with Stuart Aldam.
The CWGC is not able to restore this monument because it is private. They would need to get permission from any living relatives if they exist.
The papers below (downloaded from the CWGC website) record this fact.
