OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

ALBERT VICTOR ROOKE (1870-1931)

Albert Victor Rooke was born to Mr Robert B Rooke, druggist, of 1 Notte Street, Plymouth, and his wife Ellen, at the end of 1870.

At the time of the 1891 census he was a pupil architect articled to Mr Henry John Snell (1843-1924).  His mother had been widowed and they were living in rooms at number 8 Compton Street, Plymouth.

Albert Victor Rooke married Miss Fanny Amelia Bishop on September 2nd 1897 at the Anglican Church of Saint Jude the Apostle.  They went to live at number 26 Sea View Terrace.

In 1904, by then a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Architects (FRIBA), he went into partnership with Mr Herbert Lionel Thornely (1868-1944) and they took over the business of Mr Henry John Snell when he died in 1924.  Soon afterwards Mr Thornely moved to Liverpool and Mr Rooke continued on his own.  The practice were responsible for many prominent buildings in Plymouth including the Borough Free Library and Museum.  Mr Rooke himself, who resided at "Meadcrest", Thornwill Way, Mannamead, drew up the plans for the new Plymouth Public Free Schools in Cobourg Street and the Education Offices just across the road.

Mr Albert Victor Rooke, died in a nursing home on Thursday November 5th 1931.  He was 61 years of age.  The funeral service at the Anglican Church of Emmanuel, Compton Gifford, took place on Monday November 9th 1931 and was conducted by the Reverend Carnegie Knox, the vicar, and the Reverend F R Fairmaner, vicar of the Anglican Church of Saint Stephen at Devonport.  In addition to the family members, his widow; Mr Ernest P Rooke, his brother; Mr W S Bishop, his brother-in-law; Miss Annie Bishop, Miss Florence Bishop and Miss Louise Bishop, his sisters-in-law, there was a large attendance of friends and business associates including his former partner, Mr H L Thornely (1869-1944), from Liverpool, and his household staff, Mr and Mrs Every and Mr L Thorneley.  Several local architects also attended: Messrs E H A Barron, A C Norman, R J Evans, H J Sloggett and F A Wiblin, while Mrs A M Snell represented her late husband.  The body was interred at Efford Cemetery.  Messrs  Popham's carried out the funeral arrangements.

His business was immediately acquired by Mr Ernest Henry Alderson Barron (1875-1952), who moved from 11 The Crescent into Mr Rooke's old office at number 1 Sussex Terrace, and the practice continued as Messrs Barron and Rooke.

His widow, Mrs Fanny Amelia Rooke, of number 20 Thornhill Road, Plymouth, was buried at Efford Cemetery ob March 9th 1962.  She was 90 years of age.