V.C. PRESENTATION.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 929, 1 February 1917, Page 9

V.C. PRESENTATION.

TO WIDOW OF PRIVATE COOKE. J'n-.ix AsuoMollon. 1 WELLINGTON, January 31. This morning at Government ! House, his Excellency the Governor, by the King's command, presented i lo Mrs M. E. Cooke, the Victoria I Cross awarded by his Majesty to her husband, the late Private Thomas I Cooke, Bth Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces, together with a letter J signed by his Majesty, and addressed I to Mrs Cooke. Colonel the Hon. James Allen, Acting-Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and MajorGeneral Sir Alfred Robin, CommauI dant of the New Zealand Military ' Forces, were present at the cerej mony. The act for which the late Private -Cooke was awarded the V.C. is deascribed in the London "Gazette" of September 8, 1916, as follows:—"For ! most conspicuous gallantry. He was i ordered to take his gun and gun team I to a dangerous part of the line. Here

he did line work, but came under very heavy fire, with the result that finally he was the only man left. He still stuck to his post ami continued jto fire his gun. When assistance was I sent he was found dead beside his | guit. He set a splendid example of determination and devotion to duty."