Edward Hooker was born in Luton, England. It is not known when he arrived in Australia, but according to his embarkation record he was working as a labourer in Sydney in 1916. He was 19 years old when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 28 June 1916. He embarked from Sydney with reinforcements to the 13th Battalion aboard HMAT Ceramic on 7 October 1916, and served on the Western Front. He was also a member of the 13th Battalion Band. He returned to Australia in July 1919.