LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman George William COOK
Service No: 425276
Born: Brisbane QLD, 2 October 1914
Enlisted in the RAAF: 1 February 1942
Unit: No. 100 Squadron
Died: Presumed Drowned, Aitape PNG, 10 December 1944, Aged 30 Years
Buried: Unrecovered
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Cook; husband of June Ellen Cook, of Darlinghurst, New South Wales.
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 7, Lae Memorial PNG
Remembered: Panel 104, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
At about 1120 hours on the morning of 10 December 1944, three members of the Messing staff of No. 100 Squadron were swimming from the beach at Aitape Point. This area is at the mouth of the Raihu River adjacent to Whittaker Bridge. There was a sand bar in the middle of the mouth. Leading Aircraftman Norman Edward Ballard (151488) (A16152) (Discharged: 29 January 1946) and Leading Aircraftman Douglas Lawrence Macumber (13110) (Discharged: 19 December 1945) swam across the sand bar a distance of about 150 yards. They looked back and saw Leading Aircraftman Cook following about half way across the channel. They turned away and began to gather seashells. Approximately 30 seconds later they looked back and could see no signs of Cook. The two airmen began swimming and diving around the area but could find no trace of Cook. They went to a camp nearby and obtained the assistance of American troops to help search, and advised the Adjutant of No. 100 Squadron by telephone. The matter was placed in the hand of the RAAF Service Police who in conjunction with the American and AIF Provosts made every possible investigation but no trace of the Leading Aircraftman Cook was found.
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/8/771