Cook, Wesley Robert George (Sapper, b.1921 - d.?)

Collection relating to the Second World War service of VX58570 Sapper Wesley Robert George Cook, 2/3rd Australian Independent Company (later named 2/3rd Commando Squadron), New Guinea, 1943. Collection consists of 20 original handwritten letters to his brother VX58694 Sapper Mervyn Victor Cook, spanning the period between 1 April 1943 and 18 September 1943. The letters recount Cook's daily activities and living conditions, and make mention of family at home in Australia. He includes overviews of building shelters and bases; supplies shortages; patrolling the jungle and cutting mountain tracks; and violent encounters with Japanese troops. While Cook's accounts are vague, it is known that during the period covered by his letters the 2/3rd were deployed in the Wau-Salamaua area and fought a number of battles against the Japanese in the jungle, including around the Komiatum track. The timing of action recounted by Cook appears to align with these battles.