Thomas Cooke was born in Kaikoura, New Zealand, on 5 July 1881, and lived there until the age of 17. He then moved to Wellington where he worked as a builder. In 1902, he married Maud Elizabeth Elliott and the couple had three children. In 1912, he moved his young family to Australia.
On 16 February 1915, Cooke enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. He was posted to 24th Battalion in Egypt he was transferred to 8th Battalion. His Victoria Cross was awarded for his actions in the Battle of Pozières in July 1916. He was killed in action on 28 July 1916 during that incident.
The citation for his VC read as follows:
"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.
Cooke's VC was presented to his wife by the Governor-General in 1917. His wife later remarried. Cooke has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the QEII Army Memorial Museum at Waiouru, New Zealand."
The Victoria Cross was presented to his widow, Maud Cooke, at Government House, Wellington on 31 January 1917.
Add new comment