182 CEF Posted 29 May , 2003 Share Posted 29 May , 2003 Heres one for the older set. George St. Pierre Brooks was born in Jan 1840 From 1861 until he was Captured in early 1865 he was a Body Servant to Capt. Scofield CSA, For the last 3 Months of the war he looked after the Horses of the 7th Ohio Cav (USA, the unit that captured him). In 1865/66 He ran foot reaces in P.T. Barnums shows ( he ran 100 yards in 9 3/4 seconds. He later joined the " Fisk Jubilee Singers" while there he there gave a Command Performance before Queen Victoria. After this he has assorted jobs until he moved to Manitoba. In 1917 he approached an Army recruiter (CEF) and stated his age as 75. He was told that if he would state he was 40 he would be accepted. He did so and became a cook and served in France. In 1944 he bagan living at the Deer Lodge Military Hospital. In 1946 while visiting veterans Viscount Montgomery hailed Brooks as a "real Soldier" Brooks died in 1948 and is Buried in Winnipegs Brookside Cemetery, of course in the Military section. Referance. Winnipeg Free Press, Jan 5 1938 also May 7 1948 Canadian Dept of Defence Veterans Affairs New Release May 22 1946 Dean Owen Whitby Ontario " Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broznitsky Posted 29 May , 2003 Share Posted 29 May , 2003 NAC shows a George Semperius Brooks, 931360, a Negro cook born in Havana, enlisted June 1, 1916 in Winnipeg into 2nd Construction Battalion. He states he is 40 and served in the Spanish American War. 6 Foot 2 Inches, must have been quite a sight! Thanks, Dean, that was very interesting. If only we had an HG Wells time machine to go back and interview him! Peter in Vancouver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Furnell Posted 29 May , 2003 Share Posted 29 May , 2003 What a marvellous story. Is this the new record holder? Surely there can't be any other men who served during the American Civil War and then served on the western front? All the best. Simon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken S. Posted 8 February , 2015 Share Posted 8 February , 2015 At least one other enlisted, I can't recall if he made it to France. What a marvellous story.Is this the new record holder?Surely there can't be any other men who served during the American Civil War and then served on the western front?All the best.Simon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now