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William Cork
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1892 |
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Place of birth: Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
General information
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Profession: Sheep Farmer |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Driver |
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Service number: 1006 |
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Enlistment date: 20/09/1914 |
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Enlistment place: Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 2nd Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 04/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Jabber Trench, Westhoek, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 25 |
Memorial
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Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial Panel: Bay 7 stone H |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Driver William Cork enlisted with the AIF at the age of 22 on 20/09/1914 at Sydney. The former shearer served with the 2nd Australian Infantry Battalion, part of the 1st Australian Division, 1st Australian Brigade. As a single man, he still lived at home with his widowed mother Margaret.
On 21st December 1914 he embarked for the Middle East and served at Gallipoli. In November 1916 he sailed to England where he attended the Group Lewis Gun School and it was only in September 1917 that he left England for France.
The 2nd Australian Battalion was at the front near Westhoek Ridge and participated in the Battle of Polygon Wood (26/9/17) as in the Battle of Broodseinde (4/10/17) both part of the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. The 2nd Bn. A.I.F. were put in the frontline near Molenaarelsthoek on the night of 30 September / 1 October. Between 1 and 4 October they suffered from several German attacks, very active shelling and artillery barrages. All of the attacks could be repulsed.
When taking their positions on the 3rd October 1917 to start the attack in the early morning the next day, the 2nd Australian Battalion was again heavily shelled by the Germans. Patrols were send out on the night of the 3rd/4th to find out the condition of No-Man’s Land and also to see what posts the Germans occupied.
Driver William Cork was killed in action during these operations. He was burried at Jabber Track at the same location as his brother Arthur Ernest (J.k.b.4.3.) but his body was never recovered. Now he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, bay 7 stone H together with his older brother Arthur Ernest who felt also the 3rd (4th) October 1917.
Two other brothers 2705 Driver Clarence Stanley Cork (the youngest, age 20, also a shearer), and 6734 Private Sydney Thornton Cork (father of five, aged 36) both returned safely to Australia.
On 21st December 1914 he embarked for the Middle East and served at Gallipoli. In November 1916 he sailed to England where he attended the Group Lewis Gun School and it was only in September 1917 that he left England for France.
The 2nd Australian Battalion was at the front near Westhoek Ridge and participated in the Battle of Polygon Wood (26/9/17) as in the Battle of Broodseinde (4/10/17) both part of the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. The 2nd Bn. A.I.F. were put in the frontline near Molenaarelsthoek on the night of 30 September / 1 October. Between 1 and 4 October they suffered from several German attacks, very active shelling and artillery barrages. All of the attacks could be repulsed.
When taking their positions on the 3rd October 1917 to start the attack in the early morning the next day, the 2nd Australian Battalion was again heavily shelled by the Germans. Patrols were send out on the night of the 3rd/4th to find out the condition of No-Man’s Land and also to see what posts the Germans occupied.
Driver William Cork was killed in action during these operations. He was burried at Jabber Track at the same location as his brother Arthur Ernest (J.k.b.4.3.) but his body was never recovered. Now he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, bay 7 stone H together with his older brother Arthur Ernest who felt also the 3rd (4th) October 1917.
Two other brothers 2705 Driver Clarence Stanley Cork (the youngest, age 20, also a shearer), and 6734 Private Sydney Thornton Cork (father of five, aged 36) both returned safely to Australia.
Connection to other soldiers 1
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Arthur Ernest Cork
Brother |
Sources 8
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AIF Project https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=62856 Sources used |
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AWM https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=cork&people_service_number=1006&people_unit= Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/1598487/william-cork/ Sources used |
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Image https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/229160152?keyword=Cork%201006 Sources used |
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Service Record https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3421355 Sources used |
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The Long Long Trail http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/1st-australian-division/ Sources used |
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War Diary 1st Brigade https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1347439 Sources used |
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War Diary 2nd Battalion https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1347983 Sources used |