Thomas Cooke (soldier, born 1881)

He held his exposed gun post after every comrade had fallen.

Thomas Cooke was born in Kaikoura, New Zealand, on 5 July 1881, the son of a carpenter and a New Zealand-born mother. He attended the local district high school and later moved with his family to Wellington. Like his father, he became a carpenter. He was also a skilled cornet player and belonged to the city's garrison band, an interest that occupied an important place in his civilian life.

Cooke married Maud Elizabeth Elliott in Wellington in 1902. They had three children before moving to Victoria, Australia, in 1912. The family settled in Richmond, Melbourne, where he worked as a builder. He volunteered for the Australian Imperial Force on 16 February 1915, training at Broadmeadows and other camps before being assigned as a reinforcement for the 24th Battalion.

He sailed for Egypt in November 1915. After arrival he transferred to the 8th Battalion, which trained in the Suez Canal area before sailing for France in March 1916. His early Western Front service included Fleurbaix and Messines. In July the battalion moved to the Somme, where its men were committed to the fighting at Pozieres.

During the night of 24-25 July, Cooke took a Lewis gun and team into a dangerous part of the newly won line. The official VC citation records that another gun had been disabled and that he was ordered forward to replace its contribution. Heavy enemy fire killed his companions, leaving him alone, but he continued firing and holding the post. When help eventually arrived, he was found dead beside the gun. The citation praises his determination and devotion, facts incorporated here from the Gazette rather than treated as a separate story (London Gazette, 9 September 1916, p 8870: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29740/supplement/8870/data.htm).

His wife learned of his death and reported VC through cables and newspapers while waiting for official communication. She wrote to the authorities asking why no formal explanation had reached her. The medal was eventually presented in Wellington in February 1917. Cooke's body was never identified; he is commemorated at Villers-Bretonneux. His death left Maud and their three children to make their lives without him, and his VC later went on loan to the Army Museum at Waiouru.

Official Victoria Cross citation

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, Numb. 29740, p. 8870