Historical information

Thomas Richard Cook

Service number: 1732

Rank: Private

Roll title: 1 Infantry Battalion - 1 to 8 Reinforcements (December 1914 - August 1915)

Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918

Date of embarkation: 10 April 1915

Place of embarkation: Sydney

Ship embarked on: HMAT Argyllshire

Ship number: A8

Physical description

Set of WW1 medals issued to T. R. Cook, note DCM + MM not included.

1) The 1914-1915 Star.
Awarded for service on the establishment of a ship or unit in a theatre of war. A member awarded the 1914 Star could not be awarded the 1914-15 Star (this award).

2) British War Medal. Awarded for service as follows:
• Navy - for 28 days mobilised service or to those who lost their lives in active operations before completing that period, between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918.
• Army and Air Force - entry into a theatre of war on duty, or who left places of residence and rendered approved overseas service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918.
• Mercantile Marine - at least six months service between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918.



3) The Victory medal.
Awarded for service as follows:
• Navy - those who were mobilised and rendered approved service either at sea between 5 August 1914 and 11 November 1918 or on the establishment of a unit within a theatre of military operations.
• Army - those who served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war.
• Air Force - those who served on the establishment of a unit in a theatre of war outside the UK, served with an operational unit in the UK or overseas and had been actively engaged against the enemy, been employed in flying new aircraft to France or served on the complement of aircraft-carrying ships.
A member Mentioned in Dispatches for service during World War 1 wears a bronze oak leaf on the ribbon. Only one emblem is worn no matter how many times a member may have been 'mentioned'


Inscriptions & markings

1) 1914-15 Star: Star with crown on top, with crossed swords, embossed with "1914-15" on obverse side, "1768/ Gnr T R Cook/ 1/Bn. A.I.F."
2)King George head and mounted warrioir on obverse.
3)Winged Brittania and obverse "The Great/war for/civilisation/1914-1919"