Thomas Cooke VC (1881 - 1916)

Ancestors

Contents 1 Biography 2 Sources 3 See also 4 Links

Biography

Private Thomas Cooke VC

Thomas Cooke was born on 5th July 1881 in Kaikōura, a town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand in the Canterbury region. He was the only son of Thomas Cooke and Caroline Cooper. ^[1] He was educated at Kaikoura public school, leaving when he was seventeen years of age. From Kaikoura he moved to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, where he engaged in the building trade. He was a keen musician and during his residence in Wellington he was actively associated with both Jupp's Band and the Garrison Band.

Thomas married Maud Elliott, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Richard Elliott, in 1902 in Wellington. ^[2] They had two girls and a boy: Ethel, Thomas and Florence.

In 1911 the family migrated to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia where Thomas continued to work as a builder and take an active interest in brass bands. They made their home near Richmond, in Melbourne's inner eastern suburbs.

On 16th February 1915, Thomas enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) for service overseas during the (First World) War. ^[3] He embarked with reinforcements for the 24th Infantry Battalion on 26th November 1915 in Melbourne aboard HMAT Commonwealth A73. ^[4] Upon arrival in Egypt, as Australian troops were arriving having been evacuated from the Gallipoli Peninsula, he was posted as a Private to the 8th Australian Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division. Archives New Zealand: R21047540 The battalion sailed for France and the Western Front in March 1916. It's first major battle there was at Pozières, in the Somme Valley, in July 1916. ^[5]

Victoria Cross

The award of the Victoria Cross (VC) for an action in the Somme, France was gazetted in The London Gazette: (Supplement) no:29740 p:8870 9th September 1916. The citation reads, "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." ^[6][7][8]

As his body was not immediately located and recovered there is confusion as to the actual date of Thomas' death, ranging from 25th July to 28th July 1916. ^[9][10] Thomas Cooke's name is located at panel 52 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra and on the Cenotaph in Richmond, Victoria. ^[11] Thomas Cooke has no known grave; his name is recorded on the Villers Bretonneux Memorial. ^[12]

The Evening Post of 15th September 1916 published a comprehensive article, on page 8: ^[13]

"PRIVATE T. COOKE V.C. WELL KNOWN IN WELLINGTON DIED BESIDE HIS GUN.
In last night's Post it was announced that Pte. Thomas Cooke, a native of New Zealand who was killed in action while serving with the Australian Army in France, on 28th July, had been awarded the Victoria Cross, and that his widow and three children were now residing at Brooklyn. (Wellington, N.Z.).

"The incident in which the deceased hero won the coveted honour is thus related by an Australian and New Zealand Press cable despatched from London on 10th September:- "The Victoria Cross has been awarded to Private Thomas Cooke, for taking guns in a dangerous part of the line and sticking to his post under the heaviest fire. When assistance was sent he was found dead beside his gun.

"Private Cooke's wife now resides with Mrs. Richardson, in Brooklyn, Wellington. Private Cooke was born at Kaikoura 35 years ago. The only son of Mrs. Caroline Cooke, a well-known resident of Kaikoura, the deceased received his education at the public school of his native town and remained there until he attained the age of 17 years. From Kaikoura he removed to Wellington, where he engaged in the building trade and became very popular. He was a keen musician and during his residence in Wellington he was actively associated with both Jupp's Band and the Garrison Band. Five years ago Mr. Cooke left Wellington for Melbourne where he continued to practise as a builder, besides taking an active interest in brass bands and the Ancient Order of Foresters.

"In February 1915, Private Cooke became a member of the Australian Expeditionary Forces. He sailed with the 7th Australian Reinforcements on 26th November last, and arrived in Egypt on New Year's Day. He went to France as one of a machine-gun section, and saw considerable fighting before the end came.

"Pte. Cook, who was the only son of a family of four children, was married fifteen years ago to Miss Maud Elliott, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Elliott of this city. There are three children of the marriage, two girls aged 13 and 8 years respectively and a boy aged eleven.

"As New Zealand is unable to honour the V.C. hero in person, it is suggested that something should be done for his widow and family who, it is gathered, have been thrown on their own resources. The only income they are entitled to is the small amount drawn from the Australian pension which they are entitled to receive. Elsewhere the dependents of Victoria Cross heroes who died in winning the distinction, have been similarly honoured."

Following the war, by which time his family had returned to Wellington, New Zealand, Thomas' widow was issued both his British War Medal and Victory Medal.

The Victoria Cross awarded to Thomas Cooke is displayed at the QEII Army Memorial Museum at Waiouru, New Zealand.

Sources

1. ↑ New Zealand Birth Index #1881/7640
2. ↑ New Zealand Marriage Index #1902/1670
3. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: 3055 Private Thomas Cooke; accessed 6 Jul 2022
4. ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: 3055 Private Thomas Cooke; accessed 6 Jul 2022
5. ↑ Australian War Memorial unt record: 8th Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 6 Jul 2022
6. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards (recommendation): Victoria Cross; accessed 6 Jul 2022
7. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards (recommendation): Victoria Cross; accessed 6 Jul 2022
8. ↑ Australian War Memorial honours and awards: Victoria Cross; accessed 6 Jul 2022
9. ↑ Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing files; accessed 6 Jul 2022
10. ↑ [1]
11. ↑ Australian War Memorial roll of honour: 3055 Private Thomas Cooke; accessed 6 Jul 2022
12. ↑ [2]
13. ↑ [3]

See also

• Australian War Memorial: Private Thomas Cooke; accessed 6 Jul 2022.
• Blanch, Craig and Pegram, Aaron. For Valour: Australians Awarded the Victoria Cross. New South Publishing, Sydney NSW, 2018. ISBN 978 17422 35424.
• [ Archives New Zealand: R21047540 National Archives N.Z. Military records].
• Wikipedia.
• Commonwealth War Graves.
• Remembrance Day.

Links

• Project:Anzacs Link | RSL Virtual War Memorial |
  
  

Victoria Links: | RSLVIC Home. | Shrine of Remembrance | Rolls of Honour | ANZAC Cenotaph | | RSL Virtual : Thomas Cooke
AucklandMuseum Link