Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

On 21 August 1914, just weeks after the declaration of war, Albert Cook enlisted. On 20 October 1914, Private Cook embarked from Adelaide aboard the HMAT Ascanius (A1) as part of the first wave of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). After training in Egypt, he embarked from Alexandria on 2 March 1915 to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force for the Gallipoli campaign.

The landing at Anzac Cove on 25 April 1915 was Albert's first true test. The unit diary describes the battalion transferring from transport ships to the battleship HMS Prince of Wales, then into smaller destroyers and lifeboats in the dead of night. As an original member, Cook sat in one of these open boats, waiting in the dark as they rowed toward the cliffs in near silence. At approximately 4:30 am, the boats grated on the shingle of the beach.

The silence was broken by heavy rifle and machine-gun fire from the heights. Cook had to jump into the water, make his way to the beach, and begin the steep climb up the eroding cliffs to find cover. By the evening, the battalion was digging in desperately along the ridgeline amidst chaos and heavy casualties. Cook spent these days with little sleep or food, frantically digging trenches to hold the line.

His service was interrupted by the harsh conditions of the peninsula. He was wounded and disembarked in Malta for medical treatment on 4 May 1915, though he returned to his unit on 25 July. Throughout September and October, he battled ill health, including haemorrhoids and a bout of influenza and pneumonia that saw him admitted to the Military Hospital in Valetta, Malta, in October 1915.

By March 1916, Cook had recovered and returned to Alexandria. On 27 March, he was attached to the Camel Transport Corps. It was during this period that his leadership qualities became evident. He was appointed Temporary Lance Corporal in November 1916 and rose rapidly through the ranks: Temporary Sergeant in January 1917, Temporary Company Quartermaster Sergeant (C.Q.M.S.) in February, and finally Temporary Company Sergeant Major by 1 August 1917.

He remained serving in the Middle East until he was hospitalised in May 1918, 'dangerously ill' with a fever. He was treated in hospital for a few weeks. 

Albert disembarked in Australia on Christmas day 1918.  He was officially discharged from the AIF on 23 February 1919. Returning to civilian life in Glenelg, South Australia, he married Mavis Ruby Gabb in 1935 and together they had 7 children. Albert died 12th October 1955 aged 62.