Alfred Cook - 5th Light Horse Regiment AIF.

[slick_mick]

WO2 Alfred Cook - 5th Light Horse Regiment AIF.

Note the unofficial collar badges on his tunic.

He was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

'For continuous devotion to duty and good services. He has at all times displayed the greatest zeal and efficiency in attending to the horses of the regiment. He has an unbroken record of good work since the regiment was formed in 1914, and by his untiring energy, devotion to duty, has set a fine example to all.'



Alfred Woodburn COOK

Regimental number 29
Religion Church of England
Occupation Horse trainer
Address Gympie Hotel, Bundaberg, Queensland
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 26
Next of kin Mother, Mrs J Cook, 194 King William Street, Adelaide, South Australia
Enlistment date 18 September 1914
Rank on enlistment Lance Corporal
Unit name 5th Light Horse Regiment, Headquarters
AWM Embarkation Roll number 10/10/1
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board TRANSPORT A34 Persic on 21 December 1914
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board TRANSPORT A44 Vestalia on 19 December 1914
Regimental number from Nominal Roll ***
Rank from Nominal Roll Warrant Officer (Class II)
Unit from Nominal Roll 5th Light Horse Regiment
Fate Returned to Australia 26 December 1918

Enjoy!

Mick

[Mike Jackson]

Excellent - an archetypal Light Horseman. I love his address on enlistment - can't get more Australian than that! Two questions - where would he have served in his 4 years overseas? Do you have an image of the collar badge posted anywhere?
Thanks. Mike

[slick_mick]

He would have served in Gallipoli and Egypt/Palestine.

Here's a closeup of the badge.



Mick

[Mike Jackson]

For an unofficial badge, the collar badge looks very high quality. Is it Australian made?

[slick_mick]

Gaunt, London.

[CftD]

The citation is interesting. It reads to suggest that his award was indeed for continuous service rather than an act or acts in a combat setting. Reading between the lines, I wonder if he was a regimental ostler or farrier, remaining at all times with the horses rather than engaging in combat. This doesn't detract in any way for his distinguished conduct but the wording of the citation seems specific. Also, what is that arm badge ? David

[CftD]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

For an unofficial badge, the collar badge looks very high quality. Is it Australian made?

Mike - I agree totally. This looks much more than an 'unofficial' badge. Is it possible that it has been missed from the sealed pattern list ? David

[slick_mick]

It would have been paid for by regimental funds.

The only official badge worn by Australians during World War I was the standard General Service aka Rising Sun badge. All others were unofficial badges.

Mick

[slick_mick]

Does anyone have any pictures of Australian WW1 soldiers wearing unofficial badges? I'd love to see some more.

Mick

[leemac]

Originally Posted by CftD

The citation is interesting. It reads to suggest that his award was indeed for continuous service rather than an act or acts in a combat setting. Reading between the lines, I wonder if he was a regimental ostler or farrier, remaining at all times with the horses rather than engaging in combat. This doesn't detract in any way for his distinguished conduct but the wording of the citation seems specific. Also, what is that arm badge ? David

You are correct, he was a farrier.
records link is:
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scrip....asp?B=3281215