Private Ralph Thomas Cooke - The Gifts
As I remember my Great Uncle, Private Ralph Cook 7th Battalion Australian INF, who died on the 29th June 1916 in the fields of France, so should we remember the ten million soldiers who also lost their lives in the Great War of 1914 – 1918.
Back on the 11th November 2008, Remembrance Day Commemorations marked 90 years since the guns fell silent on the Western Front, November 11, 1918.
In my endeavour to find out more about my Great Uncle Ralph, I have been greatly assisted by my mother and sister. For that, I thank them dearly.
Both have forwarded on images that give me a fantastic insight into the young man that was.
The first image shows what remains of a necklace sent by Ralph to his mother whilst serving in Egypt.
The next two images, a scarf along with its toggle, were found in his kitbag after he died. This scarf, mentioned in his will, was later sent home to his parents.
The original Australian Imperial Force kit store receipt, with the scarf highlighted in the red circle.
Click on the links below to view previous articles on my Great Uncle:
2. Private Ralph Thomas Cooke - Part Two
This is the final article on this Great Australian. I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have.
To be continued...
22 comments - care to make one?:
How lovely some of his gifts are still with you, bringing joy to people even so long after his death.
Hi, Peter! Sorry I've been away for so long, but I'm back and all caught up on reading about your uncle. I think there's a wonderful family resemblance. Isn't it exciting finding out about family history?! I've always likened it to treasure hunting, I really think it is. Keep hunting, you never know what you might find.
One of your earlier commenters asked about seeing a larger picture and I've discovered that if, after they click on the photo, they replace the "s" number (s400) with "s1600-h" they will be rewarded with a lovely large picture. Check how the photos respond on my blog.
Happy Hunting!
Peter:
You are so fortunate to such a rich family history. It is wonderful that you have so many personal articles of your uncle's life. It must be a great feeling.
I salute veterans everywhere.
Happy trails.
Peter this is again too cool, love the Egypt necklace.
Hi Jayne! I don't know how they survived for so long. It's a shame the necklace is in the state it's in, but anything that reminds us of Ralph is fabulous.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Moonshadow! No need to apologise! The more I look at Ralph the more I see myself in him. It is a great pity we never got to meet.
Perhaps one day, if I ever enter the pearly gates of heaven!
As for your tip, I'm over the moon about it. I go through Windows Live Writer and use Google Picasa to host my pictures and I have never been able to get my images as big as when I only used blogger to write and put my pictures up.
In the future I'll change the image property to include "s1600-h". I tried it on a test post and it worked a treat.
Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Swubird! Yes we do, but there is a lot more for us to explore and to track down family from the past.
Now, if I could find them all in one fowl swoop, I'd be a happier man.
If you don't mind me saying this, I salute veterans everywhere as well.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Bob and thank you. I would have loved seeing that necklace in one piece!
Take Care,
Peter
Hello Peter!
Wow...gorgeous necklace-piece! Are those earrings? They look so cute!! Your great-uncle had good taste :D!
The scarf is also beautiful - interestingly enough, I have a similar one (same colour, but slightly different pattern)! Do you know its measures? Its toggle is an exquisite piece: is it ivory?
Peter, I enjoyed immensely this series of articles...thank you for sharing this with us *bowing*!
I can only imagine the emotions it stirred in you...and you did a terrific job, blessed be you, mate! :D
Have a fantastic week!
Cheers
Hi Peter! I'm loving this series. Your pictures are incredible.
You reminded me of a time I was going through some of my Nana's things. I found myself, like you, wanting to know more. I'm insatiable sometimes.
Have a great day!
Hi Max! I just got off the phone talking to my sister about that necklace. Over the years my mother has broken it up to make ear-rings and gifts for others. She is such a good soul!
The scarf is still like new. It's amazing it's stayed together in one piece for so long. I have a odd feeling that they made things to last way back then. Not like now of course, mores the pity!
Now, it measures 44cm by 44 cm and the toggle, according to my sister is ivory or bone.
I'm glad you enjoyed the series. My family is amazed by the response that it has received. Thank you for being a part of this!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi The Muse and thank you! We spend so much of our time on ourselves, that we can overlook the wonders of the ones that came before us. So much is hidden from our view that when we come across links to our past, we'll do almost anything to explore and then focus on their past events and lives.
Being insatiable in this case is neither a crime nor a shortcoming but something to drive us on to really opening our eyes when it comes to senior members of our family, living or not!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Peter!
"I just got off the phone talking to my sister about that necklace. Over the years my mother has broken it up to make ear-rings and gifts for others. She is such a good soul!"
:D...Awww, that is so kind and generous of her! It is like sharing the love with others...blessed be her!!
She is a good soul indeed...and something tells me that you took it after her too!
"The scarf is still like new. It's amazing it's stayed together in one piece for so long. I have a odd feeling that they made things to last way back then. Not like now of course, mores the pity!"
It is beautiful! You are right on that one: nowadays that make junk-objects, junk-clothing...nothing lasts *nodding*!
"Now, it measures 44cm by 44 cm and the toggle, according to my sister is ivory or bone."
A beautiful piece indeed! Ah, my scarf is longer and narrower....but it is incredible how similar it is!
"I'm glad you enjoyed the series. My family is amazed by the response that it has received. Thank you for being a part of this!"
I did, Pete *bowing*! They should be amazed...it was a success! You are welcome, mate :D! It was my pleasure to go on this journey with you, and your family!
Cheers
Peter it is amazing how little things like that can be so valuable to some. Very nice continuation about your uncle. Peter you did amazing job on this project. Anna :)
Hey Peter! Did you get your notice about the flower smeller awards video? http://gosmelltheflowers.com/archives/6567
Your picture is in it at 3:54
Like Moonshadow, I've been away for a while too and had to catch up and read about your handsome uncle. It is so important to do things like this, to carry on the legacy of our ancestors, especially those who gave all they had for us.
I believe it's a reminder to us to give our all every day. We may not (thankfully) be fighting in the fields of war, but every day we have the chance to make this world better, so that our kids' kids' kids' kids will live better than we.
Thank you for taking the time to commemorate your uncle's short life and tremendous service.
Hey Peter, just snooping around. Hope you are doing fine! Anna :)
Hi Anna! Thank you for your comments. Please excuse my absence. I have been so tied up with my two jobs and regretibly I've had no time for anything else. All this work has made me a dull boy indeed.
Take Care,
Peter
Hi Moonshadow! Sorry for the late reply. I'll certainly take a look into it. I must say this is totally unexpected from them!
Take Care,
Peter
Hi San! Like my uncle, the kids of today have their own battles to contend with. More than I had to put up with when I was a lad. I wish them all the best considering today's crippling economy, unemployment and life's continual uncertainty.
Take Care,
Peter
Peter!!!
You are back! I was going to send you a message asking if you were all right! I am glad to see that you are :)!
It's nice to have you back, mate!
Cheers
Hi Max! I've been flat out like a lizard drinking with my two jobs keeping me away. Glad to be back!
Take Care,
Peter
Post a Comment