Harold Ernest Cooke

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 12/11/2017 - 12:27

First Name:

Harold

Middle Name:

Ernest

Last Name:

Cooke

Date of Birth:

Sunday, August 1, 1897

Mother's Name:

Jane Cooke nee King

Father's Name:

William Cooke

Date Enlisted:

Monday, July 26, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

45th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Saturday, November 20, 1971

Place of Death:

Sydney, N.S.W.

Details:

Harold Ernest Cooke (Service No 3046) was born in Camden, N.S.W.

At enlistment he was 18 years old, single, worked as a farmer and lived in Gerringong, N.S.W.

Harold embarked on HMAT A29 Suevic with the 18th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement, on 20th December 1915. He disembarked in Egypt and was transferred to the 45th Battalion on 2nd April 1916. Harold arrived in France on 8th June 1916 and saw service at Pozieres. On 23rd July 1916 he was wounded in action, suffering from shell concussion.

On 8th February 1917, Harold was admitted to hospital with severe pneumonia and was diagnosed with debility from pneumonia. In October 1917, he was invalided back to Australia and was discharged medically unfit with a pension due to the debility on 4th March 1918.

In 1929, Harold married Amelia Riddell. He remained in the area and was elected to the local council in the late 1940's.

Harold died in 1971 and is buried in Gerringong Cemetery.

Harold's brother George Cooke (Service No 848), also served.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, COOKE H E