PRIVATE COOKE, V.C,

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2878, 16 September 1916, Page 10

PRIVATE COOKE, V.C,

All too many of the Victoria Crosses awarded in this war, which has set new standards in gallantry and hardihood, have been awarded to men who laid down their lives in supreme devotion to duty. Such was the case of Private Thomas Cooke, V.C., a ma-ehino-gunner in the Australian Expeditionary Force, who at the end of his last battle was found dead beside his gun. He had stuck to his post with the greatest, bravery that man could showi lighting his gun ; in face of the heaviest fire. For his conspicuous bravery he was awarded tho V.C., the highest honour any British soldier can 'win, and the most sparingly-bestowed reward of aallantry in all tlie world.

Private Cooke was a New Zealander, He was born in Kaikoura, hut as a youth he came to Wellington, and in this City he grew to full manhood. Five years ago he went to Melbourne, and from that city he joined the A.1.F., and, went to the Western front -with the' Main Body. Private Cooke wa s 35 years of ane. Fifteen years ago he married Miss Maud Elliott- eldest daughter of Mr. Richard Elliott, "f this City, and there ere three, children. two girls, aged 13 -'and S years, resnectivelv. and one boy of 11. Mrs. Cooke is no-.v residing in Wellington. n'nd a suggestion i s being "'.ido that, the City should do sor\tiling to show her that her husband's gallant deed is not, to "iss unhonourod by the people of -the Oitv in which he snent most of his adult life. The Mayor states that he has been in communication with Mrs. Cooke.-and also with the late Private Cooke's mother, and that when Mrs. Luke returns from li»r countr- tour she "Iso will m\f. in tone)' with them. In the ™»antime lie had. everything nossible to show that th" City was ready to do honour to the widow and the mother of a_ man who done such gallant service for his country.