Reginald Brooks 1st Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment)

[SaxonX]

Hi

I've just discovered a new cousin whilst researching my family tree:

Name: BROOKS

Initials: R

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Private

Regiment/Service: Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)

Unit Text: 1st Bn.

Date of Death: 13/07/1916

Service No: 17603

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: 5034 (C.).

Cemetery: DERBY (NOTTINGHAM ROAD) CEMETERY

I know from other records that he died at:

Tooting Grove Military Hospital, London SW.

I see from one website that the hospital was 'A specialist venereal disease hospital for 144 officers and 100 men'. However another record shows he died of wounds and I doubt VD would have been a cause of death in any case. Can anyone offer any further information and pointers for further research - I've just ordered a book on the 1st Bn from Amazon so hopefully that will prove insightful - if any one has access to a war diary of the 1st Bn in which it might be possible to identify the date and place Reginald might have been injured I'd be very grateful.

Regards

K Brooks

[BRONNO]

If any one has access to a war diary of the 1st Bn in which it might be possible to identify the date and place Reginald might have been injured I'd be very grateful.

Regards

K Brooks

My records show he was wounded, according to the Derby Mercury local casualty list printed on the 28th April 1916.

Died at Home of wounds received on 5th June 1916 in Mechanics Trench near Fosse 10.

(1st Btn War Diary) 5th June 1916.

Heavy showers, squally with fine intervals. Heavy shelling with 5.9 and Shrapnel. One Company on R.M.L.I. was attached to the Battalion for instruction. BRONNO.

[ander11]

Hi there K.Brooks

Here is his details on SDGW

Sherwood Foresters(Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment)

1st Battalion

Brooks

Reginald Pte 17603

Born - Ockbrook,Derbyshire

Enlisted - Derby

D.o.d 13/07/1916

Died of Wounds

Home

best reguards

IanAnder

[stevem49]

Possibly he was wounded during the night of 4th/5th.

The Battalion had moved forward to the Angres 1 sector and deployed three companies in the trenches and one in reserve. During the evening 4th/5th the enemy fired heavy trench mortars on the right company - doing some damage. The war diaries did not mention casualties but that is about par for course with 1st Bn. I think from memory the book gives a paragraph to June 1916.

http://www.ypressalient.co.uk/Norman%20Butchers%20Letters.htm

The above may give you an idea of the battalion - Norman served from March 1915 to March 1917 in 1st Bn.

As BRONNO has already mentioned the Battalion were on the old Loos Battlefield.

Steve M

[PhilB]

Isn`t post #3 self contradictory as it says D o d (Died of disease) and Died of Wounds?

It`s possible that the VD hospital was used as a general hospital in July 1916 when casualties increased hugely? Since I have the same surname, I`m trying to protect the gentleman`s reputation!

[stevem49]

Date of Death

S

[SaxonX]

Many thanks to all who have posted - some really useful and interesting pointers. I am surprised to find he died at home as his the summary of his will (probate) states that he died in Tooting Military Hospital - I did wonder if they'd have moved him back to Derby for burial that being the case - but I'm glad they did. Hopefully too that means his reputation remains intact - funny how a passing association with a place can raise an eyebrow...

Hopefully I'll find out more and will report back - any additional info still welcome though

Regards

SaxonX

www.brooksfamily.name

[PhilB]

I think "Died at Home" means "Died in UK".

[BRONNO]

I think "Died at Home" means "Died in UK".

Phil, you are correct.

SaxonX, thought you might also like to know that his British War and Victory medals were sold at Mellors and Kirk in Nottingham on the 2nd November 2004. BRONNO.

[Phil Evans]

SaxonX,

Are you sure that he died at Tooting Grove?

A couple of sources I have come across state that it didn't come into operation until November 1916.

Searching around, I have come across Tooting Military Hospital, which was situated in Church Lane, Tooting Graveney. It was formerly known as St Benedict's Hospital.

Phil

[stevem49]

Getting his death certificate would make sure of his death type and location, one way or the other.

S

[SaxonX]

Hi All,

The will summary (recently on-line at ancestry) states: Brooks Reginald of 35 Leopold Street Derby a private in the Nottingham and Derby Regiment died 13 July 1916 at Tooting Military Hospital London while on active service - Phil - Looks like the Tooting 'Grove' part must have crept in after reading it prior to posting

Having thought about it, I think the concept of 'died at home' is not literal but rather, as suggested did mean died in the UK.

I will try to obtain his death certificate to clarify the cause of death and exact location too.

Regards

Saxonx

[SaxonX]

SaxonX, thought you might also like to know that his British War and Victory medals were sold at Mellors and Kirk in Nottingham on the 2nd November 2004. BRONNO.

Thanks Bronno - I keep my eye open for Brooks medals on ebay but only try and bid for those who I am certain are connected to me - I'll keep my eye open for these if they ever come up for auction again

[Phil Evans]

SaxonX,

If you haven't already got it, this is the GRO reference for Reginald's death:

Deaths September Quarter 1916

Reginald Brooks (age 34)

Wandsworth 1d 595

Phil

[SaxonX]

SaxonX,

If you haven't already got it, this is the GRO reference for Reginald's death:

Deaths September Quarter 1916

Reginald Brooks (age 34)

Wandsworth 1d 595

Phil

Thanks Phil - you're a star