Studio portrait of Acting Corporal (A/Cpl) Thomas Cooke, 7th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion, of ...

Accession Number A02649
Collection type Photograph
Object type Black & white - Glass original half plate negative
Maker Unknown
Place made Australia: Victoria, Melbourne
Date made November 1915-February 1916
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copyright

Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain

Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain

Description

Studio portrait of Acting Corporal (A/Cpl) Thomas Cooke, 7th Reinforcements, 24th Battalion, of Richmond, Victoria. Cooke served as an Acting Corporal with the 24th Battalion from November 1915 to February 1916, and reverted to the rank of Private upon joining the 8th Battalion in Egypt. Private Thomas Cooke was killed in action at Pozières on the night of 24/25 July 1916. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the award gazetted on 9 September 1916. His citation read: For most conspicuous bravery. After a Lewis gun had been disabled, he was ordered to take his gun and gun-team to a dangerous part of the line. Here he did fine work, but came under very heavy fire, with the result that finally he was the only man left. He still stuck to his post, and continued to fire his gun. When assistance was sent he was found dead beside his gun. He set a splendid example of determination and devotion to duty".