2nd Lt
William
John Farmer
Cooksley
Born in Queensland, Australia
Ancestors 
Brother of
Francis Wayte Cooksley and Edna Elizabeth (Cooksley) Wendt
Died
at age 26
in Dernancourt, Somme, Picardie, France
Profile last modified
| Created 9 May 2020
This page has been accessed 50 times.
Biography
Second Lieutenant William John Farmer Cooksley was born on 29th November 1891 at Queensland, Australia. He was the older son of William Price Cooksley and Ellen Wayte. [1]
On 26 September 1916 he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force for service overseas during the First World War. [2] He was allocated to the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. The 47th rotated in and out of the front line throughout the winter of 1917-18. In the spring of 1918, it played a role in turning the great German Spring Offensive by defeating attacks around Dernancourt during the last days of March and the first days of April 1918. [3]
Aged 26 years, William was killed in action during this defence on 5th April 1918. William John Farmer Cooksley's name is located at panel 143 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, and on te Baptist City Tabernacle Roll of Honour. He is buried at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France. [4]
Sources
- ↑ Queensland Birth Index #C1890/1891
- ↑ Australian War Memorial nominal roll: 3440 Second Lieutenant William John Farmer Cooksley; accessed 9 May 2020
- ↑ Australian War Memorial unit record: 47th Australian Infantry Battalion; accessed 9 May 2020
- ↑ Australian War Memorial roll of honour: 3440 Second Lieutenant William John Farmer Cooksley; accessed 9 May 2020
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Categories: City Tabernacle Baptist Church, Spring Hill, Queensland | 47th Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, World War I | British War Medal | Victory Medal