Austin Cook

Sapper Austin Cook (868251) was born in Scott Township on Feb. 5, 1898, and grew up in Zephyr. He worked as a druggist clerk in Port Perry prior to enlisting on April 12, 1916, at the age of 18. Like many local lads he joined the 182nd Battalion, the sister to the 116th raised by Colonel Sam Sharpe. He spent a year doing basic training in Canada before embarking on the S. S. Justice, arriving in Liverpool on May 14, 1917. 

Due to having flat feet, he had difficulty marching. Perhaps this is why he was posted to the 2nd Canadian Labour Battalion at the beginning of 1917, then to the 12th Battalion Railway troops in late November that year. These soldiers were responsible for building and maintaining the railway tracks that were essential for moving supplies to the front lines, and some of the troops themselves. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it did fill an essential role in the success of the army. 

Once the war was over it took time to get all the troops home again and Spr. Cook was posted to the Canadian Reserve Training Depot in January 1919. On his service record at this time it was noted that he was Absent Without Leave (AWOL) for a day-and-a-half (possibly visiting a nearby Canadian Field Artillery unit) for which he had to forfeit 3 day’s pay. On March 6th he boarded a ship home, and was discharged in Toronto on March 24, 1919. 

We Will Remember Them