John (Jack) Frederick Cook
Stephen LearmonthJohn (Jack) Frederick Cook was born on August 7 1897, to James and Isabel Elizabeth, nee Cole, Cook, at Nariel, Victoria. He was one of seven children. The family moved to dairy farming at Walwa in 1909, and it was expected that all family members would help run the property. Jack attended the Walwa School for a short time before, at the age of 12, he started working full-time on the family farm.
Jack enlisted on June 20 1916, at Melbourne. He was single, 18 years old and working as a labourer. His father, James, was recorded as his next of kin. Jack was placed in the 5th Reinforcements for the 57th Battalion and allocated the Service Number 2397. After initial training at Broadmeadows, he embarked on HMAT A9 Shropshire at Melbourne on September 25. A little under two months later, he disembarked at Plymouth.
Jack and his mates joined the 15th Training Battalion, where they were instructed in trench warfare. On the second last day of 1916, the 5th Reinforcements proceeded overseas to France on HMT Princess Clementine. The Princess was a Belgian cross-channel paddle steamer that operated as a British chartered troop ship and hospital vessel. In early January 1917, he was admitted to the 18th General Hospital at Camiers, suffering from the mumps. On March 7, he was taken on strength with the 57th Battalion in France.
The battalion took part in the advance that followed the German Army's retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Jack would have advanced with his battalion and participated in the Second Battle of Bullecourt in April. Later in the year, the battalion was moved across to the Ypres sector in Belgium. It was here, during the Battle of Polygon Wood on September 26, that Jack was wounded in action for the first time. He rejoined the 57th after one week in hospital.
In early 1918, a major German Offensive took place on the Western Front. The battalion was moved to defend the sector around Corbie. It was during this defence that the 57th, along with Jack, took part in the counterattack at Viller-Bretonneux. In late September, the 57th participated in its last major battle of the war when the 3rd and 5th Australian Divisions broke through the German defences along the St Quentin Canal. On the first day of battle, Jack was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the back. Within three days, he had been evacuated to a hospital in England.
In late September, he was discharged from the hospital and admitted to No.2 Convalescent Depot at Weymouth. In mid-January, he embarked on the SS City of Exeter and sailed home.
After his discharge in April 1919, Jack took over the dairy property “Dairy Flat” at Mt. Alfred. In 1926, he built the house that would become his own family’s home. He continued milking until 1954, when he changed over to raising beef cattle. In 1958, he purchased another property at Walwa, “The Sanctuary”. But continued living at Mt Alfred. In 1979, Jack and Thelma retired to Walwa.
In September 1981, he suffered two strokes and was hospitalised. Jack passed away on August 11 1982, at Beechworth, Victoria and was buried in the Walwa Cemetery.
