Cook, George Sydney (Major, b.1885 - d.1972)

Collection relating to the First World War service of Major George Sydney Cook, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 1914.

Collection consists of a black and white photocopy Major Cook's diary covering the period from 21 August 1914 to 5 December 1914. Cook describes the journey on HMAT Suffolk from embarkation at Sydney, on 18 October 1914, to Alexandria. He describes his participation in, and dislike of court martials, concerts held on board the ship, lectures, including the lecture on 'Transport and Convoys' he delivered on 30 November 1914, and a boxing tournament held on board. Cook briefly describes his wedding to Elsie Sheppard on 19 September 1914, and frequently writes of missing her, and writing to her and their families. He writes extensively of the engagement between HMAS Sydney and SMS Emden off the coast of the Cocos Islands. He later writes of the reports of the engagement in the newspapers in Colombo. Cook describes the port of Colombo, including the architecture, people, and the announcement of the death of Lord Frederick Roberts. Cook has also transposed a number of bugle calls, sketched the deck of HMAT Suffolk, and a map of the route from Sydney to Alexandria, a list of the Australian and New Zealand ships in the first convoy and photographs taken on the journey. The diary ends on 5 December 1914 with Cook's arrival in Alexandria.

Biographical information for Sister Elsie Sheppard Cook and Major George Sydney Cook included in the collection, has been compiled by their son Peter Joseph Cook.

Also included are photographic reproductions of photographs of Sister Elsie Cook and Major George Cook, taken at Beau Rivage, May 1915 and at Southampton, October 1915. As well are a number of photographic reproductions of newspaper clippings of death notices for Major George Cook and others [dates unknown].

• Diary of George Sydney Cook, 1914
• Photographs of Elsie Sheppard Cook and George Sydney Cook, 1915
• Newspaper clippings relating to the service of George Sydney Cook, n.d.