Thomas Cooke

Early life

Thomas Cooke was born in Kaikōura on the south island of New Zealand on 5 July 1881. His father, Thomas, was a migrant from England. His mother, Caroline Cooper was born in New Zealand. Thomas was the eldest of 4, with 3 younger sisters.

As a young man, Thomas moved to Wellington, where he married Maud Elizabeth Elliot. He worked as a carpenter in Wellington before they migrated to Australia in 1912 with their 3 children. Thomas was working as a builder in Melbourne when the war started.

Wartime service

Thomas enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 16 February 1915. He joined the 24th Australian Infantry Battalion. He was 5 feet 6 inches (167.5 cm) tall with brown eyes and black hair. He had the rank of acting corporal before departing for Egypt. On arrival in Egypt in February 1916, Thomas returned to the rank of private and transferred to the 8th Australian Infantry Battalion.

The 8th Battalion spent time defending the Suez Canal. Then the unit departed Egypt in March 1916 for the Western Front in France. The men served in Fleurbaix and Messines before moving to join the Somme Offensive in July 1916.

Thomas was recommended for the Victoria Cross because of his actions during the Somme Offensive. On the night of 24 and 25 July 1916, He and his battalion arrived at the Battle of Pozières. They were reinforcements for the 1st Australian Infantry Brigade.

While trying to secure the line, Thomas and others from his section went forward with a Lewis Light Machine Gun. They came under heavy fire. When Thomas was the last man alive from his group, he continued to hold their position to help his unit. Thomas was later found dead at his post.

In the chaos of the following days, as battles still raged, his body was never recovered. Some confusion surrounds his date of death, but official records state it was 28 July 1916.

Victoria Cross citation

For his actions at the Battle of Pozières, Private Thomas Cooke was awarded the Victoria Cross after his death. The citation for his award 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.

[Supplement to The London Gazette of 8 September 1916. 9 September 1916, No 29740, p 8870. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29740/supplement/8870/data.htm]

In 1932, the Arrow newspaper printed an account of the battle and Thomas's actions.

Posthumous award

Maud Cooke heard of her husband's Victoria Cross in newspaper reports from Australia and New Zealand. She wrote to the Australian Defence Minister in September 1915 asking why she had not been officially informed.

139 Ohiro Road Brooklyn Sept 20th, 1916 
To the Minister of Defence St Kilda Road Melbourne 
Dear Sir It is now three weeks since I had a cable of my husband's death Pte [Thomas] Cooke 3055. Killed July 28th [and] it appears in all Australian papers, also N.Z. that he has won the V.C. [and] it is the only word I have of it. Why hasn't the official let me, his wife, know. I have been hoping to hear from the Defence Melbourne but up to date nothing has arrived. 

I am yours truly Maud E. Cooke

[Handwritten letter from Mrs Maud Cooke to the Minister of Defence in Melbourne asking questions about her husband's Victoria Cross; NAA: B2455, Cooke T 54/74, page 54.]

Maud was presented with her husband's medal in Wellington in February 1917. At least one Australian newspaper stated, incorrectly, that Thomas won the distinction at Gallipoli:

A NEW ZEALAND V.C. Presented to Soldier's Widow Mrs. M. Cooke, widow of the late Private Thomas Cooke, V.C., of the 8th Battalion, who won the distinction for conspicuous gallantry at Gallipoli, was on Thursday last presented by the Governor of New Zealand with the medal awarded to her husband.

[A NEW ZEALAND V.C.', The Farmer and Settler, 13 March 1917, p 2.]

These examples show how difficult it was for family members to receive quick and accurate news about their loved ones during the war.

Commemoration

The body of Thomas Cooke has never been identified. He is commemorated on the Australian Memorial which stands within Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery.

He is also remembered in his birth nation of New Zealand where his Victoria Cross is held on loan at the Army Museum in Waiouru.

Commemorations include Thomas's name on war memorials and streets named in his honour:

• Cooke Place, Napier, New Zealand
• Cooke Street, Canberra, Australia
• Name on Roll of Honour, Panel 52, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
• Named on War Memorial, Kaikōura, New Zealand
• Named on War Memorial, Kaikōura Anglican Church, New Zealand
• Named on Victoria Cross Memorial, Queens Gardens, Dunedin, New Zealand
• Victoria Cross Commemorative Paving Stone, National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire, England.