Herb Cook was born in Monks Morton, Kent, England on July 28, 1901. As a young man he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad at Lethbridge AB from 1920 to 1922, at the Ottewell Coal Company from 1923 to 1927, and for the Lethbridge City Police from January to August 1928. He then joined the Alberta Provincial Police which became absorbed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in 1932. From 1934 to 1938 he was in charge of the Wembley attachment. Maurice and his wife Effie then purchased the Oxley Store. During WW II Maurice was away in the army, while Effie and two children remained in Wembley. Later they moved to Duncan BC, where Maurice passed away. The Cooks had 3 children: Bob, Joan, and Gary.
Source: Along the Wapiti p. 412 (name in WW II Veterans)
p. 348
Northern Tribune Mar. 31, 1938 p. 1 c. 6 (resigns, buys store)