Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

My grandfather, Joseph Allen Cook was wounded on October 4 at the battle of Broodseinde Ridge. He was in the 21st battalion from memory. He was 19. He told me that David Black was a Sargent but acting Lieutenant. He said David Black was well liked by the young soldiers. He was kind and supportive. He walked with a limp as he had been wounded in the leg and also in the chest previously. My grandfather said he seemed strained and tired but he would go from trench to trench and shell hole to shell hold checking on the frightened young guys offering words of comfort and support. Sadly he was shot through the head by a sniper or stray bullet when checking on the young guys before the attack on October 4. My grandfather said this was during the night or the night before 'going over the top' on the 4th. This affected young guys deeply. However things got a lot worse before the attack before dawn - They were shelled heavily early in the morning and it was miserable wet weather. Many were killed or wounded before they even left shelter - He said all their officers were killed and they did not know what to do. They an officer from another battalion ran by and said "come on 21st and beckoned them forward.
I am recording this story because my grandfather told me about Sargent Black on more than one occasion and he always felt sad that such a decent human being could go like this. My grandfather passed away in 1995 when almost 97. I hope any descendants of David Black read this and learn how well liked and respected he was