| Service number | 3055 |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 1881-07-05 |
| Birth Place | New Zealand: South Island, Canterbury, Kaikoura |
| Death Date | 1916-07-25 - 1916-07-26 |
| Death Place | France: Picardie, Somme, Pozieres |
| Final Rank | Private |
| Service | Australian Imperial Force |
| Unit | 8th Australian Infantry Battalion |
| Places | |
| Conflict/Operation | First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Gazettes |
Biographical information They dared mightily. in 1963 Published in London Gazette in 1916-09-09 Published in Commonwealth Gazette in 1916-12-14 |
Private Thomas Cooke
Description
Thomas Cooke (1881-1916) was 35 years old and married with a family when he won the Victoria Cross. He had been born in New Zealand and migrated to Australia shortly before the war. His hobby was band music, and he played the cornet.
In the initial attack on Pozières his battalion captured vital ground. It then had to hold on under heavy artillery fire and determined enemy counter-attacks. Cooke was part of a Lewis gun team working from a particularly dangerous position. Even after all the others with him had been killed or wounded, he remained fighting at his isolated post. When help finally reached the position, Cooke was found dead at his gun. His body was lost in the later fighting around Pozières.
Rolls
-
Roll of Honour:
- Unit
- 8th Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):
- Unit
- 8th Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
Honours and Awards (Recommendation):
- Unit
- 8th Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
Honours and Awards:
- Unit
- 8th Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
- London Gazette
- 09 September 1916 on page 8870 at position 2
- Commonwealth Gazette
- 14 December 1916 on page 3379 at position 8
-
Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Files:
- Unit
- 8th Australian Infantry Battalion
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
-
First World War Embarkation Roll:
- Conflict
- First World War, 1914-1918
- Rank
- Private
Timeline
| Date of birth | 05 July 1881 | |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 1912 | Migrated to Australia. |
| Date and unit at enlistment (ORs) | 16 February 1915 | Alooted as a reinforcement to the 24th Battalion. |
| Date promoted | 25 November 1915 | Appointed Acting Corporal. |
| Date of embarkation | 26 November 1915 | Embarked for Egypt. |
| Awarded Victoria Cross | 1916-07-24 - 1916-07-25 | For action at Pozieres, France whilst serving with 8 Battalion, 2 Brigade, 1 Division as a Private |
| Date of death | 1916-07-25 - 1916-07-26 | Killed in action for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. |
| Date of recommendation honour or award | 31 July 1916 | |
| Date of recommendation honour or award | 31 July 1916 |