As we commemorate Anzac Day – I’m sharing some local stories to recognise and remember those who sacrificed so much, so we can enjoy what we have today.
Private Thomas (Tom) Cohen was born at Mookerawa near Stuart Town in May 1881. He worked as a fitter in the area. He married, and in 1908, his wife Mary Lee Cohen gave birth to a daughter Lilian.
By 1916, Cohen and his family had moved and were living in Stuart Town when Cohen enlisted on 13 March, 1916. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion.
After a few months of training in Australia, Cohen sailed with his unit in August 1916 aboard the HMAS Wiltshire for France. After a long period of service in France, Cohen’s unit was engaged in fighting in the Mont St Quentin area, and it was here that Private Thomas Cohen was killed in action on 18 September 1918, aged 37 years. His daughter Lilian would have been just 10 years old.
Private Thomas Cohen is buried in the Military Cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux, France.
Commemorating those who served, and remembering those who died. Lest we forget.
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