Mark Percy Brooke
1901 - commercial clerk
1911 - commercial traveller
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
For additional family history see the record for his brother, John Stanley Brooke, on this Roll of Honour.
Mark Percy, known as Percy, was born in 1884, the son of Mark Pearson and Florence Mary Brooke (née Huggins).
Mark and Florence were married at Nottingham St Mary in 1879 and Percy was one of nine children, one of whom died in infancy.
Florence's husband died in 1892 and she married Francis Edward Watson in 1896; they had a son, Arthur, the following year.
Percy was recorded in the family home in Nottingham on the census of 1891 and 1901 but was a boarder in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, in 1911. In 1921, shortly before his death, he was living with his mother and half-brother, Arthur, at 96 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham.
Mark died in Norwich on 20 August 1921, the day before the anniversary of his brother John's death in 1915.
His stepfather, Francis Watson died in October the following year and his mother in March 1939.
Percy died on 20 August 1921, eleven days before the end of the official period of the War, but is not listed on the CWGC database. 'References to serving in the First World War mean service at any time during the official war periods stated below: First World War: 4 August 1914 to 31 August 1921 (dates inclusive).' (www.cwgc.org/media/0awj5vti/policy-eligibility-criteria-for-commemoration_march21) This suggests that his death was not attributable to war service.
He served first with the Royal Fusiliers (7338 Corporal) and then with the Bedfordshire Regiment (34955 Corporal). The Medal Rolls record that he disembarked France on 14 November 1915 so qualified for the 1914/15 Star in addition to theBritish War Medal and Victory Medal.
Mark died in Norwich on 20 August 1921, home address Nottingham.
His brother John Stanley served in the 9th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (2032 Private) and was killed in action in Fance on 21 August 1915. Their half-brother, Arthur Watson, served in the Army Service Corps (S/307287 Private) from March 1917 to April 1919.
Nottingham General Cemetery. Family grave, inscription: ‘Mark Pearson Brooke, beloved husband of Florence Mary Brooke, who died 12th May 1902, aged 43 years. Also Arthur Edgar, who died 3rd June 1891, aged 9 months. Also John Stanley, Sherwood Foresters, killed at Gallipoli, 21st August 1915, aged 29 years. Also Mark Percy, Royal Fusiliers, who died 20th August 1921, aged 37 years. Beloved sons of the above. Francis Edward Watson, beloved husband of Florence Mary Watson, who died 15th October 1922, aged 54 years. Also of Florence Mary Watson who died 14th March 1939 aged 80 years.;
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 22 August 1921: ‘Brooke. On August 20th, suddenly at Norwich, Mark Percy Brooke, the beloved son of Mrs FM Watson and the late Mr MP Brooke, aged 37 years.’ (www.britishnewspaparchive.co.uk)
The same edition of the Nottingham Evening Post included an 'In Memoriam' notice commemorating Mark's brother, John Stanley, who was killed in action at Gallipoli on 21 August 1915. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
Probate. Proven Nottingham 19 December 1922. Died at Norwich, 20 August 1921. Administration to his widowed mother Florence Mary Watson. Effects £384 6s 1d.
Peter Gillings. Additional research & record updated, RF (Jan. 2026)
Photo of Mark Percy Brooke
Family grave, Nottinghamshire General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (Jan. 2026)
Photo of Mark Percy Brooke
Family grave, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (Jan. 2026)