Jack William COOKE

Regimental number5319
Place of birthLake Boga, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarmer
AddressKolora via Terang, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Next of kinMother, Mrs Isabel Cooke, Carlisle Crescent, Oakleigh, Victoria
Enlistment date3 March 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll3 March 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name24th Battalion, 14th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/41/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A28 Miltiades on 1 August 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll24th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 13 September 1918

Bar to Military Medal


Recommendation date: 21 October 1918

FateReturned to Australia 19 July 1919
Medals

Military Medal


Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

MM Bar

'During the attack on MONTBREHAIN, east of PERONNE, on 5th October, 1918, Corporal COOKE was in charge of a Lewis gun section. At one stage the advance was held up by a German strong post containing two machine guns. Corporal COOKE at once gathered his section and organised them under heavy machine gun fire. He led them forward with such dash that the post was mopped up and the advance able to continue. Later on during the consolidation of the position, two enemy machine guns were ausing casualties among his Company. Corporal COOKE crept out alone with his gun, and fired so effectively as to silence the enemy guns and allow the work of consolidation to be completed. Recommended for MM, 20th September, 1918.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 135
Date: 11 December 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal & Bar, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death17 August 1953
Place of burialCheltenham Memorial Park Cemetery