Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Aeneus’ 17.4.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 12th Reinforcement 28th Battalion. Australian Imperial Force.
Cook disembarked in England and marched in to the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone. He was trained intensively with his Battalion for several months. Cook proceeded overseas to France 9.9.1916. He was taken on strength in Belgium 16.10.1916, after the Battle of Pozieres. Cook was wounded in action at Flers with a gunshot wound to his right foot 3.11.1916. He was admitted to Hospital in Amiens France 8.11.1916. Cook was invalided to England per Hospital Ship ‘Newhaven’ to 13.11.1916. He was admitted to 1st Eastern General Hospital Weymouth. On recovery he was discharged to Perham Downs 6.2.1917 and proceeded overseas to France 18.3.1917. He rejoined his unit 7.4.1917. Cook was wounded in action (2nd time) at Bullecourt with gunshot wounds to his legs, head, arm, he was described as dangerously ill 3.5.1917. Cook was transferred to the Casualty Clearing Station, then to Rouen. He was invalided back to England per Hospital Ship ‘Aberdonian’. He was admitted to Richmond Military Hospital 25.6.1917. and transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital Dartford 20.9.1917. Cook was discharged to Weymouth 12.10.1917. He was listed for early return to Australia for a ‘Change’.
Embarked for Australia per HT ‘Themistocles' for ‘a change’ with bullet wound left leg 5.11.1917.
Returned/Disembarked 23.12.1917.
Discharged 22.1.1918.
Final Rank Private 28th Battalion. Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Invalided with a bullet wound to left the leg.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Note Brother- Clarence Thomas Cook enlisted same time in 28th Battalion.
Photos HMAT 'Aeneus'. Photo source State Library NSW image a636033r
             Ruined main Street Pozieres 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A05776
             Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H12360
             HMAT Themistocles at Fremantle 19. Photographer unknown, photograph souces AWM 304038

Information Source
AWM A05776. Ruined main Street Pozieres 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H12360. Bullecourt, France 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM 304038. HMAT Themistocles at Fremantle 19. Photographer unknown, photograph souced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- William Edward Cook
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
NAA: B2455, Cook W E
SLNSW a636033r. HMAT 'Aeneus'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Archives of the State Library of New South Wales

Byers Road, Midland Junction, WA.

Associated Images