B.E.2e A8663 at Flamborough Head.
On the night of 24th / 25th September 1917 the Midlands and North of England were the targets of a Zeppelin raid that initially saw eleven Zeppelins set out. Of the Zeppelins only three overflew Yorkshire. L.35 came in over Lincolnshire around midnight then headed up to The Humber before west toward Goole but then changed direction and headed for Rotherham. Bombs then fell on Clayton, Thurnscoe, Highgate, Bolton upon Dearne, Swinton and Ryecroft. Anti-aircraft guns opened up on the L.35 and it headed back east, crossing the North Sea coast near Aldborough at 04.05hrs. L.55 came inland near Bridlington at 00.15hrs and headed up the Yorkshire coast. Bombs were dropped around Boulby before anti-aircraft guns and gun boats opened fire and it made off to sea. L.41 came in over Hornsea at 01.27hrs, eventually flew over Hull and released a number of bombs, turned toward Marfleet and Paull. Anti-aircraft guns then fired at it, it dropped more bombs at Preston and went out to sea at Tunstall at 02.43hrs. The RNAS and RFC sent up a total of thirty six aeroplanes with No.76 Squadron and No.36 Squadrons probably being the Royal Flying Corps units involved. Two of these crashed and were written off; one force landed on Flamborough Head and two others landed away from base.
One pilot of 36 Home Defence Squadron took off from an aerodrome north of Yorkshire, possibly Cramlington, Northumberland and flew south to intercept L.55. It's pilot eventually gave chase to L.41, while he fired at L.41 he was too far away from it to be effective and it escaped, he made a successful forced landing at Flamborough Head at 06.15hrs probably low on fuel. Others in the past have credited 2Lt Cook with being a 76 Squadron pilot. His service file states that he never served with 76 Squadron so must be incorrect. His actions on this night saw him awarded the Military Cross.
Pilot - 2Lt William Wallace Cook RFC.
William Cook was born on 19th February 1890 at Palmerston, New Zealand. In 1917 he served with No.36 Home Defence Squadron, No.77 Home Defence Squadron, No.199 Squadron (training squadron) and then returned to No.36 Home Defence Squadron in August 1917. For his actions on the night of 24th / 25th May 1917 he received the Military Cross, Gazetted on 11th October 1917, the citation reads.. "For Conspicuous Gallantry and skill in an attack on a Zeppelin. He ascended from his station during strong wind, thick mist & low cloud and showed great determination eventually giving up the attack when sixty miles out to sea. His return journey was hazardous but with great skill he eventually effected a landing within a quarter mile of the Coast having been in the air for 5 1/2 hours". He transferred to the newly formed RAF in April 1918 and served with 148 Squadron but was later re-patriated to New Zealand in July 1919 and was transferred to the Unemployed List on 14th November 1919.