For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership on 29th September 1918 near La Vacquerie. Early in the advance his platoon commander became a casualty; he took command and in the course of the attack his men captured five machine guns and forty prisoners. Later on he led a platoon to the final objective, and formed a defensive flank, which protected a wide gap.
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 18 February 1919

For conspicuous gallantry, skill and initiative. On the 14th August 1918, during operations near Puisieux this NCO showed great gallantry, skill and initiative in handling his platoon in the advance against the enemy. Subsequently Corporal Cooksley took charge of a daylight patrol which obtained valuable information as to the whereabouts of the enemy. Later on the same day, Corporal Cooksley captured two prisoners single handed. His conduct set a magnificent example to his comrades.
Source: 'London Gazette'
Date: 11 December 1918

Regimental number	10/3519
Date of birth	26 February 1895
Place of birth	Palmerston North
Religion	Church of England
Occupation	Driver
Address	47 Alexander Street, Palmerston North
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	20
Height	5' 6.5"
Weight	148 lbs
Next of kin	Father, Isaac Daniel Sage Cooksley, Rangiotu
Previous military service	Territorial Force
Enlistment date	22 October 1915
Place of enlistment	Trentham Camp, Upper Hutt
Rank on embarkation	Private
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 9th Reinforcements, Wellington Infantry Battalion, B Company
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on board SS Maunganui on 8 January 1916
Final rank	Sergeant
Final unit	7th (Wellington West Coast) Company, 2nd Battalion, The Wellington Infantry Regiment
Fate	Commenced return to New Zealand
Medals	Distinguished Conduct Medal For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership on 29th September 1918 near La Vacquerie. Early in the advance his platoon commander became a casualty; he took command and in the course of the attack his men captured five machine guns and forty prisoners. Later on he led a platoon to the final objective, and formed a defensive flank, which protected a wide gap. Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 18 February 1919 Military Medal For conspicuous gallantry, skill and initiative. On the 14th August 1918, during operations near Puisieux this NCO showed great gallantry, skill and initiative in handling his platoon in the advance against the enemy. Subsequently Corporal Cooksley took charge of a daylight patrol which obtained valuable information as to the whereabouts of the enemy. Later on the same day, Corporal Cooksley captured two prisoners single handed. His conduct set a magnificent example to his comrades. Source: 'London Gazette' Date: 11 December 1918
Discharge date	2 June 1919
Other details	War service: Egypt, Western Front Enlisted with rank of private and posted to B Company, 9th Reinforcements, Trentham Camp, Upper Hutt, 22 October 1915. Proceeded overseas from Wellington with 9th Reinforcements on board HMNZT No 37 'Maunganui', 8 January 1916. Disembarked Suez, Egypt, 12 February 1916. Taken on strength, 2nd Battalion, The Wellington Infantry Regiment, and posted to 7th (Wellington West Coast) Company, Moascar Camp, Ismailia, 1 March 1916. Proceeded from Alexandria, Egypt, on board HMT 'Llandovery Castle' with unit to France, 9 April 1916; disembarked at Marseilles, France, 18 April 1916. Admitted to New Zealand Divisional Rest Station, in the field, 19 July 1916. Discharged from New Zealand Divisional Rest Station and rejoined Battalion, in the field, 8 August 1916. Wounded in action and admitted to No 13 Casualty Clearing Station, 29 September 1916 (Gun Shot Wound, left arm). Discharged from No 13 Casualty Clearing Station, 2 October 1916. Rejoined Battalion, in the field, 4 October 1916. Admitted to No 8 Casualty Clearing Station, in the field, 24 October 1916 (Debility). Discharged and rejoined Battalion, 3 November 1916. Appointed to rank of Lance Corporal, 6 August 1917. Proceeded on 10 days' leave, 6 August 1917; returned from leave and rejoined unit, 17 August 1917. Promoted to rank of Corporal, 28 March 1918. Marched out from unit on detachment to New Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot, in the field, 15 May 1918. Marched in to New Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot, Etaples, 20 May 1918. Marched out of New Zealand Infantry and General Base Depot to No 1 New Zealand Entrenching Battalion, 22 July 1918. Rejoined 7th (Wellington West Coast) Company, 2nd Battalion, The Wellington Infantry Regiment, in the field, 24 July 1918. Appointed to rank of Lance Sergeant, 25 August 1918. Awarded the Military Medal as per NZEF Orders, 31 August 1918. Proceeded on two weeks leave to United Kingdom, 10 September 1918; returned from leave and rejoined unit, in the field, 26 September 1918. Promoted to rank of Sergeant, 23 September 1918. Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal as per NZEF Orders, 23 November 1918. Assigned to demobilisation draft and entrained from Cologne, Germany, for United Kingdom, 19 January 1919. Marched in to Wellington Personnel Depot, Sling Camp, Wiltshire, England, 24 January 1919. Commenced return to New Zealand from Plymouth, England, on board HMNZT 'Remuera', 17 March 1919. Disembarked in Auckland, 5 May 1919. Discharged on termination of period of engagement, 2 June 1919. Total war service: 3 years 224 days (of which 3 years 118 days were overseas). Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death	29 September 1965
Age at death	70
Place of burial	Kelvin Grove Cemetery (Area DA, Block 001, Plot 20), Palmerston North
Sources	Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 21, p. 19 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805