William Hook

Private William "Bill" Hook
22 Dec 1905 - 23 Jan 1971
Profile Picture
Profile picture
Biography

Bill Hook was a local poacher and would spend the night working his way around Rolvenden, down to Hexden, along the edge of Romney Marsh to Potmans Heath and back to the village via Sparkeswood. He was also a crackshot with a catapult, capable of killing a pheasant at night. During the day he was a carpenter for Woodgates Builders, and carried out extensive alterations on Frensham Manor in the 1930s.

Postings
Unit or location Role Posted from until
Rolvenden Patrol Patrol Leader 26 Jan 1941 Unknown
Gibbet Oak Patrol Patrol member Unknown 03 Dec 1944
National ID
DJWJ 148/2
Occupation

Carpenter

Address
Primrose House, 20 High Street, Rolvenden, Kent
Other information

Well known as a poacher.

Bill Hook: “I was living at Primrose Cottage, Rolvenden, when I was recruited by Sir Auckland Geddes, who knew Winston Churchill very well. Geddes lived at Frensham Manor in Rolvenden Lane, and I used to play with the Geddes children. When the Aux Units were started, the “Old Man” knew me and asked me to join."
(Geddes was the Regional Commander for Civil Defence for the South East Region from 1939 – 1941).
 

Other pictures
Profile picture
Caption & credit
Bill Hook (from Adrian Westwood)
References

TNA ref WO199/3390 & 1 

1939 Register 

Adrian Westwood 

Bill Hook’s biscuits in IWM collection

Bill Hooks wire reels in the IWM collection