William Brooks

Pte. William Brooks Worksop Guardian 2 November 1917 Another Worksop lad to make the great sacrifice is Pte. William Brooks, Nott’s, and Derby’s, son of Mr. William Brooks, 119, Cheapside, who was killed in the heavy fighting in which the Sherwood Foresters took so brave and gallant a part at the end of last month. Pte. Brooks was 21 on August 26th last, and he enlisted three years ago. Prior to that he had worked at Manton Colliery. He was still going through his training when he was drafted to Ireland, and nine months ago he was transferred to France, taking his part manfully and bravely along side his comrades, many of whom he had known in Worksop. Writing to his father- his mother died when he was a child- Lieut. Shaw says; “It is with the very greatest regret that I have to write offering my sincerest sympathy on the death of your son, Pte. W. Brooks. He was killed in the big battle at the end of last month, I hope that it may be of some little consolation to you that he died bravely, doing his duty.” Mr. Brooks other son, Tom, is also in the Nott’s and Derby’s., though not in the same Battalion as his late brother. He enlisted when only 17 years of age, and had fought in France and been brought back to England wounded before he was 18. He is now at Sunderland. Much sympathy will be extended with Mr. Brooks on the loss of his gallant boy. The late soldier was a member of St. Anne’s Bible Class, and reference to his death was made by the Rev. H. Gray, at the service on Sunday. Through Mr. Gray’s instrumentality, Pte. T. Brook’s obtained extended leave and was thus able to stay over the Sunday.

Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium