Leonard Brooks
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Leonard was born in 1897 and was the son of the late Alfred Brooks a pinewood dealer and Sarah Jane Brooks née Gaudern. His father Alfred Brooks was born in 1857 in Welford Northants, his mother Sarah Jane Gaudern had previously been married to a William Williams but he died and she married Alfred Brooks on 6th October 1889 at Ilkeston, she brought with her 3 children from her previous marriage, May Lizzie Williams, Sarah Annie Williams and William Williams . During their marriage Alfred and Sarah Jane had five children , Fred 18889 b Derby, Mable Gertrude b1892 Nottm , Albert Arthur b1893 Nottm, Herbert b1895 Nottm and Leonard b1897 Nottingham. His father Alfred died in 1911 in Basford aged 62 yrs. In 1911 the family lived at lived at 146 Northgate Nottingham and are shown as Sarah Jane Brooks 54 yrs a widow , she is living with her children , Sarah Annie Williams 34 yrs a net curtain maker, May Lizzie Aked 33 yrs married no occupation, William Williams 29 yrs a wood sawyer, Fred Brooks 21 yrs a van man, Mable Gertrude Brooks , no occupation, Albert Arthur Brooks 18 yrs a cycle fitter, Hebert Brooks 16 yrs a cabinet maker and Leonard Brooks an office boy
Rifleman Leonard Brooks, enlisted at Nottingham on 13th May 1915 , he gave his age as 19 yrs and 8 months, his address as 146 Northgate, New Basford, Nottingham and his next of kin as his mother Sarah Jane of the same address he gave his occupation as an outfitter. He went to Winchester barracks on 18th May 1915 and was posted to 7th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, on 20th May 1915. He embarked for France on 31st August 1915 and joined his battalion in the field on 3rd September 1915. He was killed in action on 18th August 1916. He has no known grave, his name is commemorated on Thiepval Memorial
His brother also served in the Great War as Private 43000 8th South Staffordshire Regiment, he survived the war. In memoriam published 18th August 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- BROOKS. – In loving memory of Rifleman L. Brooks, K.R.R., killed in action August 18th, 1916, of 59, Woodville-road, Sherwood (late of New Basford). It is hard to say Thy will be done. – From his sorrowing mother, brothers, and sisters, Fred and Bert (in France).” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
No Photos