George Sidney Cook
From Our Contribution
 Sunday Times 28 May 1915 p.1S | |
 6th reinforcement for 11th Battalion "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 ; 122 lbs 55.338 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 "unknown" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation. |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A2 Geelong Fremantle to Egypt |
| Date of Return | 31 Mar 1919 ‒ 23 May 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Khyber Liverpool to Fremantle |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Banjup War Memorial |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Received his aunt's permission to enlist
War Service
George completed his enlistment papers in Geraldton on 12 Apr 1916 and a week later at Blackboy Hill camp George was allocated to the 6th reinforcement draft for the 11th Battalion. Soon after he travelled with them to Egypt where he spent time training before being called forward to Gallipoli on 1 Aug 1915.
George 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 the 1st Field Ambulance and on 28 Aug 1915 to 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station. He was subsequently evacuated from Gallipoli to St David's Hospital on Malta via Mudross on HMAT A11 Ascanius operating as a Hospital ship. Recovered. he returned to Egypt in October 1915 aboard HMT Karoa, and to Gallipoli via Mudross in November 1915.
On 5 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 on 5 Jun 1916 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 on 10 Jul 1916 he spent time in the 8th Stationary Hospital in Wimereux with bronchitis before being moved to the 1st Convalescent Depot in Boulogne. George returned to his unit on 25 Aug 1916 before again falling ill, this time with mumps on 13 Feb 1917 when he was seen by the 12th Field Ambulance, returning to his battalion on 7 Mar 1917. In May he followed Lt Morrell to the Brigade Dump before returning with him to the battalion on 15 Jun 1917.
He had a fortnight's leave in England during late January, early February 1918, and spent September 1918 at a school for Batmen before enjoying another leave in England. From 30 Oct 1918 to 7 Mar 1919 (VD 129 days) he received treatment in the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital at Bulford. George returned to Australia from Liverpool and was medically discharged by the 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. He was living at 8 Wellington street, Kerang, Victoria at the time.
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.
Notes