Sholto was born in York in 1876, the son of George Golby Pook and Mary Jane (nee Ellis). He was baptised on the 6th September 1876 at St. Thomas Church, York and was the eldest of seven children born to the couple. The Pook family originated in Portsmouth and Sholto’s father, who had been born in Northamptonshire, was a commercial traveller. At some time between 1891 and 1893 George Golby Pook left the family, probably to avoid his creditors, leaving Mary Jane to bring up the younger children on her own. It is likely that Sholto, as the elder son, remained at home to support her as in 1901 he was still living at home at the age of 24 and working as a foreman in a saw mill. By 1911 however he had left home, was living on his own and was employed as a Timber Agent.
In 1916 he married Clara Waite in York and shortly after he was posted to France as a gunner in the Royal Artillery. He was wounded in action and died on the 19th November 1916, probably in one of the military hospitals outside Rouen. He is buried in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension in Rouen, France. He made a will shortly after his marriage leaving his entire estate to “his dear wife, Clara Pook”. One of his brothers, Albert Edward Pook, a colour sergeant in the West Yorkshire (Prince of Wales Own) Regiment was also killed in action during the War. Both brothers are commemorated on the War Memorial at St. Clement’s Church, York.