Born Hull, 1888. Son of Benjamin Edward Lend (1854-1912) and Elizabeth Ann Todd (1860-1936), at 24, Edwards Avenue, Buckingham Street, Hull (War Pension Address). he had six sisters and one brother, Percy Leng.
Employed as a Plater’s Helper, for the Earls Shipyard Described as 5 foot, 8 inches tall, 140 lbs weight, 38-40 inch chest, good physical development, tattoos on both arms, fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, Church of England religion.
He true surname was “Leng”, but he served as Ernest Cook.
He enlisted as Edward Leng, at Hull, on 28/08/1914. Served as Private, 6/10875, with the 6th East Yorkshire Regiment. Deserted on 7/2/1915. Struck off on 2/3/1915.
Re-enlisted as Ernest Cook, joining the 11th East Yorkshire Regiment. Died of Wounds, on 16/09/1916, aged 27.
Buried at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension (A-L) Part I, France.
His younger brother, Percy, also worked for the Earles Shipbuilding Company. He joined the Territorials in 1913 and Served with the East Yorkshire Regiment during the war. After the war, he became a criminal and was imprisoned sevreal times for theft, in Hull and Beverley.
