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Captain's Night Orders Book, HMAS NIZAM

Author William Frank Cook, RAN (Australian, (1916 - 2003))

Date1939-1945

Object number00054697

NameBook

MediumPaper, ink, glue, sailcloth

DimensionsOverall: 210 × 170 × 27 mm

ClassificationsBooks and journals

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Rhod Cook

Terms

DescriptionCaptain's Night Orders Book for HMAS Nizam kept by Captain William Cook, RAN during his time as the vessel's second-in-command in the Second World War. This object is one of a large collection of documents, photographs, uniforms, ship badges and ephemera associated with the Royal Australian Navy service of brothers William Cook and Frederick Cook. Both men entered service prior to the Second World War, were seconded to the Royal Navy, and underwent training at Greenwich and Portsmouth. Frederick Cook later gained fame as the only Australian survivor of HMS ROYAL OAK, torpedoed by a German U-boat in October 1939. William Cook was the youngest commander of an Australian destroyer during the Second World War, and was First Lieutenant of HMAS WYATT EARP, the primary research vessel for the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition in 1947-48.SignificanceThe night orders book was kept by William Cook, a Royal Australian Navy officer who served as second-in-command aboard HMAS Nizam during the Second World War. Cook later assumed command of Nizam and became Australia's youngest destroyer commander of the Second World War. As Nizam's commander, he was later present at Japan's surrender to the Allies in September 1945. Cook also served as First Lieutenant aboard HMAS Wyatt Earp, the first Australian naval vessel to participate in an Antarctic research expedition (the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition) in the immediate post-war period.