Press, Volume L, Issue 15037, 4 August 1914,
New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15678, 4 August 1914
Monday, August 4, 2014
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Rare World War One photos from Open University UK
The Open University has asked me to share some rare photos the have brought to life in colour. Above are a couple of examples to see more follow link below:
http://www.openuniversity.edu/news/news/world-war-1-in-colour-photos
War News - 3 August 1914
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, 3 August 1914, Page 5
Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 29, 3 August 1914, Page 8
Private Thomas Cooke - Kaikoura Memorial
Private Thomas Cooke was born on 5 July 1881 in Kaikoura being the only son of Tom and Caroline Cooke. Educated at Kaikoura High School he followed in his father's footsteps to become a carpenter. He moved with his family to Wellington where in 1902 he married Maud Elizabeth Elliot, and together they had three children. In 1912 Thomas moved himself and his family to Melbourne, Australia where he worked as a builder.
On 16 February 1915 he enlisted as a private in the Australian Imperial Force and embarked for Egypt on 26 November 1915 from where he sailed to France in March 1916. According to his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, he served from April to July in the Fleurbaix and Messines sectors of the Western Front.
In mid-July his battalion was moved south to the Somme where it took part in the fierce fighting around Pozières.
Sometime between 24 - 25 July Cooke was ordered, with his Lewis-gun team, to a dangerous part of a newly captured line. There was little cover, and heavy enemy fire killed
all his companions, but he continued to hold out alone. When assistance
finally reached him he was found dead beside his gun. For his gallantry
he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
Victoria Cross (VC): 3055 Corporal Thomas Cooke, 8th Battalion,
Australian Imperial Force (AIF). "For most conspicuous bravery. After a
Lewis gun had been disabled, he was ordered to take his gun and gun-team
to a dangerous part of the line. Here he did fine work, but came under
very heavy fire, with the result that finally he was the only man left.
He still stuck to his post, and continued to fire his gun. When
assistance was sent he was found dead beside his gun. He set a splendid
example of determination and devotion to duty." (The London Gazette," 8
September, 1916)
News of his death would have reached his family in Wellington (to where his wife and children had relocated) sometime during August however news of his Victoria Cross was discovered by his wife via the newspapers. She wrote to the Ministry of Defence in Melbourne on 20 September 1916 asking for confirmation of the award stating:
"It has been three weeks since I had a cable of my husbands death ... it appears in all Australian papers also N.Z. that he has won the V.C. and it is the only word I have of it, why hasn't the officials let me his wife know..."
Confirmation of his award eventually came and Maud Cooke was presented with his V.C. at Government House on 1 February 1917. Today Cooke's V.C. is held at the National Army Museum, Waiouru.
Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14215, 5 February 1917, Page 3
Free Lance, Volume XVI, Issue 846, 22 September 1916
Cooke was 35 years old at the time of his death and sadly like so many has no known grave. He is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France. In 2010 newly constructed barracks were named after Cooke at the Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North. Ten of his descendants attended the opening ceremony.
Friday, August 1, 2014
World War One centenary: Far-flung heroes of the first truly global war
An interactive map produced by the National Archives highlights the key role played by countries across the globe in the First World War.
Had a play with the map today take a look lots of interesting facts.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/11003327/World-War-One-centenary-Far-flung-heroes-of-the-first-truly-global-war.html
.JPG)
.JPG)
War News - 1 August 1914
Wanganui Chronicle , Issue 20140, 1 August 1914
Thames Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14869, 1 August 1914
Thames Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14869, 1 August 1914
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
War News - 30 July 1914
Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26, 30 July 1914
Marlborough Express, Volume XLVIII, Issue 177, 30 July 1914
Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 180, 30 July 1914
Monday, February 3, 2014
The German sailor, his English wife and WW1 voyage that won him the Iron Cross
Research pieces together the complicated personal lives of a German sailor and
his English wife, who had to split up at the outbreak of the First World
War, with the husband going on to became a national hero
Back in the office...
With the summer holidays over and my children back at university and school I am back in the office researching New Zealand's WW1 memorials. Over the holidays I reached my goal of visiting 100 memorials and will update my list of those visited later this week. The next step is the enormous task of researching the memorials I visited over the next few months and recording some of the stories from them. With 2014 now upon us it is going to be a busy start to the year. Hope you will still follow my journey and give me your feedback. Thanks to all those of you who have contacted me over the summer I am always interested to hear from you.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Wattam Brothers - Newmarket Memorial
On 19 August 1916 Robert and Florence Wattam of Remuera, Auckland were most likely on the dockside at Wellington to farewell their three sons Horace, John and Robert who were embarking with the 10th Reinforcements aboard the 'Aparima' headed for Devonport, England and the war in Europe. A month earlier the brothers had been treated to a "Monster Farewell" from the Onehunga People's Mission.
ONEHUNGA PEOPLE'S MISSION. ONEHUNGA PEOPLE'S MISSION. W
11 a.m. Grey Street
Hall: 2.45 p.m., Sunday-School Hall. 7 p.m.
FORESTERS' THEATRE— p.m.
Monster Farewell Service to Troopers Wattam, Brothers and Comrades. Our Message to Our Boys. W.S.Q.B,' Bright.
Hearty Singing, Large Choir. Men in khaki welcome.
Come and bring your
friends. Missioner Rev. Stephen J. Campbell.
The eldest of the brothers Robert Ernest had enlisted at the beginning of the war and served with the Railway Engineers as part of the Samoan Advance Party which embarked for Samoa on 15 August 1914 (My husband's great grandfather Reginald Langdale Evatt was also part of the Samoan Advance Party). On returning to New Zealand he joined the New Zealand Rifle Brigade with his brothers. Robert's military record has not yet been digitalised so I have been unable uncover any further information about his service. He survived the war returning to New Zealand, he passed away in 1973.
John Henry (known as Jack) enlisted with his brother Horace on 2 May 1916. Jack was wounded and gassed on 19 August 1917 suffering a gun shot wound to the head. Sent to England to recover he returned to the front and saw out the war only to contract influenza in days after the armistice had been called in November 1918. Again he was sent to England convalesced rejoining his unit in December 1918 and then finally returning to New Zealand in July 1919. Jack died in 1941 while another world war raged on in Europe, he was only 48 years old.
Horace Howard Wattam was the youngest of the three brothers to enlist. After a couple of months in Sling Camp Horace was posted to the Machine Gun Corp and sent to Grantham in the North of England for training. He finally embarked for France on 9 February 1917 sadly his time at the front was short lived and he was killed in action on 7 June 1917 only 21 years old. Horace is commemorated on a family grave at Hillsborough Cemetery where his mother, father and brother Jack are laid to rest.
John Henry (known as Jack) enlisted with his brother Horace on 2 May 1916. Jack was wounded and gassed on 19 August 1917 suffering a gun shot wound to the head. Sent to England to recover he returned to the front and saw out the war only to contract influenza in days after the armistice had been called in November 1918. Again he was sent to England convalesced rejoining his unit in December 1918 and then finally returning to New Zealand in July 1919. Jack died in 1941 while another world war raged on in Europe, he was only 48 years old.
Horace Howard Wattam was the youngest of the three brothers to enlist. After a couple of months in Sling Camp Horace was posted to the Machine Gun Corp and sent to Grantham in the North of England for training. He finally embarked for France on 9 February 1917 sadly his time at the front was short lived and he was killed in action on 7 June 1917 only 21 years old. Horace is commemorated on a family grave at Hillsborough Cemetery where his mother, father and brother Jack are laid to rest.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
WW1 memories: my grandfather's story - The Guardian
Another great story and discovery.
The Imperial War Museum wants us all to share stories of relatives who fought in the First World War. Toby Helm looks through the letters, diaries and photographs of his own grandfather and uncovers a harrowing and haunting picture of life on the frontline.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/03/ww1-memories-imperial-war-museum-share
The Imperial War Museum wants us all to share stories of relatives who fought in the First World War. Toby Helm looks through the letters, diaries and photographs of his own grandfather and uncovers a harrowing and haunting picture of life on the frontline.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/03/ww1-memories-imperial-war-museum-share
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)