Ex-city registrar and war hero dies at 100

A former Wolverhampton registrar who helped thousands of people mark births, deaths and marriages in the city has died just months after celebrating his 100th birthday.

Robert Cook, who was known as Bob, died on Tuesday with his family by his bedside. The centenarian, who was a soldier in the Second World War, had his milestone birthday in March.

His son Nick paid tribute to his father today.

"He was a great, loving and generous father. No-one ever said a bad word about him. We couldn't have asked for a better dad," he said.

"He was not feeling well on Monday. He had an infection in his blood and died of pneumonia the following day. Me and my brother were by his bedside."

Mr Cook had been at Bradeney House Care Home, in Worfield, near Bridgnorth, for three years, but prior to that he lived in Tettenhall. He started work in 1928 at the Poor Law & Register office in Stafford Street, Wolverhampton.

In 1946, he was appointed registrar of births, deaths and marriages and promoted to superintendent registrar in 1959.

He retired in 1976 after officiating at over 15,000 weddings and completing 48 years service with Wolverhampton Borough Council.

During the Second World War he served with the 1st British Armoured Division 8th Army, as a sergeant in north Africa, Italy and Austria. He was a keen sportsman, playing football and cricket for Wolverhampton Municipal Secondary School and then went on to play football for Wolverhampton Amateurs. In 1938 he became a member of Wolverhampton Cricket Club and completed 73 years there.

Mr Cook's wife Marjorie, passed away in August 2009 at the age of 99. He leaves behind two sons Christopher, aged 69, and Nick, 63.

Mr Cook's funeral takes place on July 25 at Bushbury Crematorium from midday and then at Wolverhampton Cricket Club in Tettenhall.