Lawrence Maxwell Cork (1922 - 1979)

Born 10 Apr 1922 in Biggenden, Queensland, Australia

Ancestors

Died 20 Dec 1979 at age 57 in Queensland, Australia

Biography

Laurie Cork was born in Queensland, Australia

Lawrence 'Laurie' Maxwell Cork was born on 10th April 1922 in Biggenden, near Wondai in Queensland's South Burnett region, Australia. He was the third son of Irvine Cork and Maud Gillespie. ^[1] The Corks later moved to Mount Tyson, near Pittsworth on Queensland's Darling Downs. He started school at the Mount Tyson State School. Whilst the family lived in Coorparoo and Dutton Park, in Brisbane's south, Laurie attended the local St James' convert school before moving on to St Laurence's Christian Brothers College, South Brisbane. About 1937 his father opened a fruit shop in Gympie, whilst maintaining the Dutton Park house for his wife and younger children. ^[2]

Laurie Cork is a Military Veteran.
Served in the Australian Army 1941-1946
Australian New Guinea Administration Unit; 47th Australian Infantry Battalion

On 29th December 1941, just weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and invasion of Malaya by the Japanese Imperial forces, Laurie enlisted in the Australian Army (Militia) for service during the Second World War. He was a member of the Australian New Guinea Administration Unit (as was his brother Vern) and, later, a Driver in the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion. As such, he saw action at Milne Bay, Wau, Salamaua and Bougainville. He was discharged on 25th June 1946. ^[3] Following the war, Laurie was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-1945 and Australia Service Medal 1939-1945.

With his brothers, Greg, Vern and Bob, Laurie established Cork Bros Soft Drinks. He and Bob were still operating their bottling and home delivery business from Woolloongabba, in Brisbane's south when Laurie died.

Aged 57 years, Laurie passed away on 20th December 1979 in Brisbane, Queensland. ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Queensland Birth Index #1922/C/6684
2. ↑ University of New South Wales Canberra Australians at War Film Archive; accessed 30 Jun 2022
3. ↑ Department of Veterans' Affairs nominal roll: Q135485 Driver Lawrence Maxwell Cork; accessed 30 Jun 2022
4. ↑ Queensland Death Index #1979/B/1361