Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Douglas Lindsay Cook

8 June 1921 – 29 September 2018

Early Life and Family

Douglas Lindsay Cook was born on 8 June 1921 at Tantanoola, in the Grey district of South Australia. He was the son of Richard Tilley Cook and Effie Constance Cook (née Jones).

Douglas later lived in the Adelaide metropolitan area, including Ovingham, where his family was well established. Prior to military service he worked as a fruiterer and driver, an occupation reflecting the practical skills and strong work ethic that would later be noted during his army training.

World War II Service

Australian Military Forces (Army)

Douglas enlisted in the Australian Military Forces during the Second World War and served both within Australia and overseas during the final and demanding years of the conflict.

Service Number: SX33046
Date of Enlistment: 13 September 1943
Place of Enlistment: Wayville, South Australia
Age on Enlistment: 22 years
Initial Role: Sapper (on enlistment)
Final Rank: Private
Religion: Methodist
Trade on Enlistment: Fruiterer and Driver

Douglas served on continuous full-time war service from 13 September 1943 until 29 August 1946, a total effective service period of 1,082 days.

Active Service in Australia: 792 days
Active Overseas Service: 390 days
During his service he underwent training in mechanical equipment, engine operation, and repair and remaking mechanics, and was classified Medical Class I (A1) on enlistment. He was hospitalised during service for pneumonia, from which he recovered and returned to duty.

Overseas Service — Tarakan (Borneo)

During the latter stages of the war, Douglas served overseas as part of Australia's involvement in the Borneo Campaign, including service on Tarakan Island.

The Battle of Tarakan was a major Allied operation undertaken during the final months of World War II. Tarakan, located off the coast of Borneo, was strategically important due to its oilfields and airfield, which were key objectives in denying vital resources to Japanese forces and supporting Allied advances in the South-West Pacific.

The battle began with an amphibious landing on 1 May 1945, led primarily by Australian forces, with support from United States air and naval units. While the initial landings were successful and Japanese resistance was overcome, extensive pre-invasion bombardment left the airfield severely damaged, preventing it from being brought into service in time for the final phase of the campaign.

Douglas Lindsay Cook later embarked for Tarakan on 21 November 1945, serving in the Borneo operational area during the post-battle occupation and consolidation phase of Operation OBOE, the series of Allied operations conducted across Borneo. He returned to Australia via Brisbane on 1 January 1946.

The Tarakan campaign came at significant cost, with 225 Australian soldiers killed and more than 1,500 Japanese defenders losing their lives. Although the strategic value of the operation has been debated by historians, the service and sacrifice of those who served there remains an enduring part of Australia's wartime history.

Douglas's overseas service places him among the Australians who served during the final operational phase of World War II.

Discharge

Douglas was honourably discharged on 29 August 1946 following the conclusion of hostilities and the demobilisation of Australian forces.

Rank at Discharge: Private
Discharge Processing: 121st Australian General Hospital (A.I.F.)
Reason for Discharge: Demobilisation
His wartime service is formally recognised on the Brighton–Glenelg District World War II Honour Roll.

Medals Entitlement

Based on his verified period of full-time service and overseas deployment, Douglas Lindsay Cook was entitled to the following World War II service medals:

1939–1945 War Medal
Australia Service Medal 1939–1945
These medals recognise his continuous full-time service in the Australian Military Forces and his overseas service in the South-West Pacific Area, including Tarakan (Borneo).

Marriage and Family Life

On 9 February 1957, Douglas married Joan Aileen Wollaston. Their marriage endured for more than 61 years, marked by devotion, partnership, and a strong commitment to family.

Douglas was a dearly loved father and father-in-law of:

Geoffrey and Bev
Aileen and Paul (deceased)

He was an adored Pop to nine grandchildren and a cherished Great-Pop to five great-grandchildren, remembered for his warmth, humour, and quiet generosity.

Later Life and Character

Family tributes describe Douglas as devoted, talented, generous, and deeply supportive. He was known for giving freely of his time and encouragement, particularly to his children and grandchildren, and for maintaining strong family bonds throughout his long life.

In his later years, Douglas received compassionate care from staff at Bene St Agnes, for which his family expressed sincere gratitude.

Death and Burial

Douglas Lindsay Cook passed away on 29 September 2018, aged 97 years.

A Service to Celebrate His Life was held on 12 October 2018 at the Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church, Banksia Park, South Australia.

Douglas was laid to rest at Golden Grove Cemetery, City of Tea Tree Gully, South Australia, alongside his wife Joan.

The family memorial plaque records:

Douglas Lindsay Cook

8.6.1921 – 29.9.2018

Joan Aileen Cook (née Wollaston)

26.8.1933 – 2.10.2020

Married 9.2.1957

Forever in our hearts

Sources (Consolidated)

National Archives of Australia: NAA B883, SX33046 – complete WWII service file
Australian Military Forces enlistment, casualty, demobilisation, and discharge records
Brighton–Glenelg District World War II Honour Roll
South Australian Birth Registration: COOK, Douglas Lindsay (1921, Grey District)
Death & Funeral Notices: The Advertiser and Centralian Advocate, October 2018
Cemetery Records & Memorial Plaque: Golden Grove Cemetery, SA
Family-supplied records and photographs

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 13/12/2025