Australian Groups

Lot 3792       Australian Groups

Estimate $1,100
Bid at live.noble.com.au

FAMILY GROUP-NEPHEW-PAIR: Military Medal (GVR); British War Medal 1914-18; 2316 Pte. F. Cook 44 Bn. A.I.F. Impressed. Very fine. Uncle: Distinguished Conduct Medal; King's South Africa Medal - two bars - South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; 1914-15 Star; Agent Richardson F.I.D., (ex Sgt. WAMI). Second medal renamed, others impressed. Very fine.

Military Medal - Commonwealth Gazette 12.12.1917 No.219, - Police Review June 1918 'Ex-P.C. Cook, who left for the fighting zone, October 13, 1916, is the proud possessor of a Military Medal. Cookie was in the 44th reinforcements, and was accompanied from W.A. by Jock White, Joe Nagel, W. Rowlands, to go to the war. It was during the battle of Messinos that Private Cook won the distinction. He was engaged on stretcher-bearing work, and, after being continuously working for thee days and nights from June 8 to 10, losing three of his Company of stretcher-bearers, Cookie kept going. Obtaining assistance, where possible, he kept the lines clear of the wounded, having to work a good deal of the time by himself under heavy gun fire, though his arm was wounded. On October 13, 1917, he was wounded at Pashendale, and was buried for one and a half hours. He was injured in the back, and his arm and fingers were broken. Eight hours after being wounded, he was trained to Calais and then shipped to England. On becoming convalescent, he was presented by General Couburg, with the Military Medal.' Pte. Cook was recommended for the Victoria Cross and the Medaille Militaire. Victoria Cross - 'Private Cook M.M., was a super-man. From October 4 to the 23rd he laboured like a giant. His mates were killed; the casualty he was carrying on one occasion was killed, but Cook was untouched. After the Manchesters failed, Cook it was who went first in front of the outposts on his errand of mercy. Practically without a spell he worked day and night, and finally, when the remnants of the Battalion were relieved he approached the adjutant and requested to be allowed to stay in with the Canadians, as there were still casualties not yet brought in. He was not ordered to come out, and so stayed in, and two days later had his shoulder smashed by shell fire. He was recommended for the V.C. and surely if ever man earned one in this great war, that man was Private Cook....(extract from 'The Story of the Forty-Fourth' P.75). Medaille Militaire - 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night of the 11/12 October, Pte Cook, F. was attached as Stretcher-bearer to 'A' Coy. On the Battalion being withdrawn from the line, preparatory to the 10th Brigade going over, Pte. Cook obtained permission to remain in the line and attended to the wounded of the 8th Brigade. He remained within the front area for over 48 hours under intense hostile artillery fire, and was undoubtedly the means of saving at least ten lives during that period. He organised stretcher parties throughout, and frequently went out himself under heavy fire in order to attend wounded. He was himself wounded during the first six hours, but refused to be evacuated. I consider his gallantry and devotion to duty worthy of the hghest mention.' With hat badge and shoulder titles; extract from regimental history showing Pte Cook was recommended for the V.C.; extracts from W.A. Police Review and copy of recommendation for the Medaille Militaire.