Eric Trayler Cook attended Kings College, London, after which he was ordained a Church of England parish priest in 1955. He was Curate at St Peter's, Dulwich (1954–1956); at St Clements, Dulwich (1956–1961); and at St John’s, Dulwich (1961–1970). In 1970 he gained a Licence to the Office of the Diocese of Southwark. His address was 116, Westwood Park, Forest Hill. Many of his paintings are portraits of churches.

Cherry Gillingham, from ’Crockford's Clerical Directory 1971–1972’, pp. 199–200