South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 8515 Thomas BROOKES - 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment

Died of Wounds on Saturday 24th October 1914 aged 28


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914 Star, British War & Victory Medals Le Touret Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
14 Aug 1914 in Rouen, France ~ Stratford on Avon WW1 Memorial
    Stratford Holy Trinity Church 
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted Stratford Cemetery Memorial 
Battle of Armentières 1906/7 in Stratford on Avon  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
near Richebourg Avaast ~ ~
     

Circumstances of Death

Thomas is listed as dying of wounds and/or being killed in action on 24th October 1914. The 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the period 20nd to 25th October 1914 are transcribed below.

Illies - 20.10.1914: Really heavy attack made on trenches occupied by Battalion, sustained heavy losses. Captain Bagley wounded.

A & D Coys sent out to reinforce firing lines. Lt Sleigh wounded, Lt Watay killed.

Illies - 21.10.1914: Further heavy attack and considerable casualties, Captain Gibson killed. 6 officers and large number of men reported missing.

Remainder of Battalion withdrawn from trenches and placed in billets near western edge of Bois de Biez.

Heavy attack at night on 14th Infantry Brigade.

Bois de Biez – 22.10.1914: Heavy firing still continuing on our right. Battalion still in billets. Battalion mustered today

, total other ranks about 300.

The notification arrived that Commissions had been granted to CSM Murphy and Sgts Brast & Holden.

During operations on 21st Oct machine guns under Lt Fletcher? did excellent work. Cpl Winode and Pte Millward particularly distinguished themselves. Sgt Winsor, machine gun Sgt, killed.

About 10om 22 Oct Battalion was ordered out to assist R.E. in digging trenches and was withdrawn about 4am

Bois de Biez - 23.10.1914: Battalion moved to billets at Richebourg St. Vaast and remained at rest all day.

Richebourg Avaast - 24.10.14: Battalion remained at rest in billets at Richebourg St. Vaast

Richebourg Avaast - 25.10.14: Situation practically unchanged. During afternoon Battalion ordered out to reinforce Royal Irish Rifles but later was withdrawn to billets. About 7pm a party of about 200 men Capt. Melville was ordered out to assist R.E. in making and improving trenches in vicinity of Neuve Chappele.

Raining very heavily. Reinforcement of about 65 other ranks joined the Battalion being taken forward from La Coutre by Quartermaster.



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Apr Qtr 1885 in Clifford Chambers 8 Nov 1885 in Clifford Chambers
   
Parents Names Abode
Thomas and Lucy Brookes 11 Ryland Street, Stratford on Avon
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1885 - Clifford Chambers 1891 - School age
1891 - Clifford Chambers 1901 - House Painter
1901 - 12 Bull Street, Stratford on Avon 1907 - Soldier in South Lancs Regiment
1911 - Tidworth Barracks, Hants 1911 - Soldier in South Lancs Regiment                    
1914 - 11 Ryland Street, Stratford on Avon