Killed during the Battle of Pozières, he was posthumously awarded the VC for his actions in staying at his post in the face of a German attack.

In June 1912, he moved his young family to Australia and settled in the suburb of Richmond, in Melbourne, where he worked as a builder.

[3] In February 1915 Cooke enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) for service abroad in the First World War.

[2] He embarked for the Middle East aboard HMAT Commonwealth in November and at this time was promoted to acting corporal.

His assignment to the 24th Battalion proved relatively short-lived for at the time of his arrival in Egypt in February 1916, the AIF was undergoing a significant expansion and reorganisation.

[1][3][5] The 8th Battalion, as part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Australian Division, initially served in the Suez Canal zone before leaving Egypt on 26 March 1916.

He set a splendid example of determination and devotion to duty.Cooke's wife was unaware of the award of the VC to her husband until reading of it in newspaper reports.

[14] The medal was eventually presented to her by Arthur Foljambe, the Governor-General of New Zealand, in a ceremony at Government House in Wellington on 31 January 1917.

[4] In 2010, a newly built barracks building at the Linton Military Camp was named for Cooke; several of his descendants were present at the opening ceremony.