Flying Officer Frank Réné Malyon (Réné) Cook lost his life in air operations over the Netherlands on the 29th August, 1944.

He was the son of John Malyon and Jeane Cook. His father was a serving officer in the RAAF in WWII, having gained a Military Medal in WWI as a Sapper in France. His twin brothers also served; Anthony in the RAAF and Clive in the AIF.

Réné attended Carey from 1927 to 1930, before moving to Deepdene State and then completing his education at Trinity Grammar. He qualified for the Intermediate Certificate. In 1936 he was awarded an Honour Prize for “All Round Excellence”.

He was a member of the 3rd Division Signals (his father’s WWI Unit) as a Cadet. On leaving school he worked as a Clerk at Goldberg Advertising Pty Ltd in Bank Place, Melbourne.

In 1940 he joined the Militia before joining the RAAF in June, 1941. After training as a fighter pilot he was posted to 130 Squadron (RAF) and later 229 Squadron (RAF) in Malta. He went with the Squadron to the U.K. in 1944. He undertook an ‘Air Sea Rescue Course’ at RAF Blackpool but continued operations with 229 Sqn.

His last mission was as part of a group of four Spitfires undertaking a “Ranger” mission to attack enemy shipping off the Dutch coast, east of the Zuider Zee. He was the sub-Section Leader. They saw a tug and three barges coming out of Lemmer Bay, which they attacked. He was struck by enemy fire (flak) coming from a landing craft that he didn't notice. Because of this, he had to quickly dive his plane and ended up crashing into the sea in the North East Polder area, near the town of Lemmer.

Frank was only 21 and unmarried. He was buried at Lemmer and is also commemorated by the Roll of Honour Monument in Kew.