George Sidney Cook

Sunday Times 28 May 1915 p.1S
"Game to the Last" James Hurst p.76
Personal Information
Date of Birth	5 Oct 1895
Place of Birth	Melbourne, Victoria
Death	21 Oct 1970, aged 75
Place of Death	Victoria
Age at Enlistment	19 years, 6 months
Description	5'10" (1.78m) tall; weight 122 lbs (55.3 kg); fair complexion, blue eyes, light brown hair
Occupation	stockman
Religion	Church of England
Address	Rowley road, East Jandakot (Forrestdale), Western Australia
Next of Kin	Aunt Mrs Florence Kate Cook
Military Information
Reg Number	2118
Date of Enlistment	12 Apr 1915 (Geraldton)
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	11th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement, transferred to 51st Battalion / 13th Brigade, 4th Division
Date of Embarkation	7 Jun 1915 - unknown
Ship Embarked On	HMAT A2 Geelong
Date of Return	31 Mar 1919 - 23 May 1919
Ship Returned On	SS Khyber
Fate	Returned to AUstralia
Monument	Banjup Memorial
Medals	1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre War

Received his aunt's permission to enlist

War Service

A week after entering Blackboy Hill camp George is allocated to the 6th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion, and soon after travelled with them to Egypt where he spent time training before being called forward to Gallipoli.

1 Aug 1915 embarked on HMAT A35 Berrima at Alexandria for Gallipoli via Lemnos Island and was taken on strength by the 11th Battalion on 4 Aug 1915. At the time they were enjoying a short break from the front lines, but soon after they returned to occupy Leane's Trench. On 25 Aug 1915 he reported sick (diarrhoea) to 1st Australian Field Ambulance and 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station. Evacuated from Gallipoli to Malta via Mudross on HMAT A11 Ascanius operating as a Hospital ship, before being invalided to England.

He returned to Egypt in October 1915 aboard the HMT Karoa, and to Gallipoli via Mudross in November.

On 7 Jan 1916 he and his unit sailed for Egypt from Lemnos aboard the HMT Empress of Britain, disembarking at Alexandria on 7 Jan 1916. On 29 Feb 1916 he was transferred to the newly formed 51st Battalion at Serapeum and he travelled with them to France on the HMT Ivernia, disembarking in Marseilles on 12 Jun 1916. At this time he was acting as Batman to Lt Morrell.

Sick again in France spending a month (July-August 1916) in the 8th Stationary Hospital in Wimereux with bronchitis before spending time at the 1st Convalescent Depot. George returned to his unit on 25 Aug 1916 before again falling ill, this time with mumps Feb-Mar 1917, and Oct 1918 to Mar 1919 (VD 129 days). He had a fortnight's leave in England during late Jan early Feb 1918, and spent Sep 1918 at a school for Batmen.

Medical discharge at 5th Military District on 22 Jul 1919.

Post War

1924 with his aunt (Florence Kate) at Wellington street, Kerang, a storeman; 1931 alone; 1936 with Lillian Eveline Florence; on 30 Apr 1967 at 8 Wellington street, Kerang. 1968 retired.

He had also served in WW2 (CMF) Enlisting in Victoria (V81917 Sgt) on 29 Oct 1939 and served until 30 Jun 1947, and then in the "Interim Army" from 1 Jul 1947 until 2 Jun 1948. All of this service was in Australia.

In 1967 George wrote requesting his Anzac Commemorative medallion and lapel badge.

Earlier, in 1963 his son Robert from Towradgi on the south coast of NSW wrote to the army seeking details of George's service.

Buried with his 23 year old son Robert Sidney Cook who died 6 Oct 1964, in the Springvale Botanical Cemetery.