John William Brooks
Private 24185 - Lancashire Fusiliers
2nd. Battalion C Company
Enlisted: Sutton-in-Ashfield December 1914
Killed in Action Flanders 25th Feb 1916 : Aged 30
Sucrerie Military Cemetary, Colincamps. Grave ref.I.C.25
Private 24185 John William Brooks was born Q1 1886 in Stonebroom. Parents 1881 Q2 Chesterfield marriage between coal miner Mr Frederick William Brooks from Buckinghamshire and Miss Mary Jane Orridge born 1865 Thringstone, Leicestershire, started their own family raising three sons and a daughter housed in Derbyshire before relocating to Huthwaite before 1889.
Main Street addressed Hucknall-under-Huthwaite birthplace for a fourth son, although larger 1901 listing had then afforded New Hucknall Colliery tied housing at 23 Newcastle Street. Heading that household is Mr Frederick Brooks 39. Mrs Mary J Brooks 36, was still mothering Charles 18, Ambrose 17, John William 15, Florry 13, Wilfred 11, Sarah Lizzie 9, Elsie Emeine 8, Ernest 3 and Doris Pearl 6 months. Later additions were Frederick Glen 1904 and Reginald Dick 1908 who replaced elder siblings leaving home. Their boys gained coal mining work and a hosiery factory employed their girls.
Mr John William Brooks married Miss Mary Ann Burrows from Radford, registered in Mansfield Q1 1907. The New Hucknall coal miner headed 36 Newcastle Street address aged 25, when 1911 lists wife Mrs Mary Ann Brooks 25 mothering their four children naming Doris 11 Nov 1904, Jack 6 Dec 1907, Hilda 30 Dec 1908 and Frederick Glen 7 Jan 1911 at 6 months old.
Private John William Brooks was among the early recruits enlisting for military service at Sutton in December 1914. He'd joined the Sherwood Foresters Notts & Derbys regiment being formerly numbered Pte 20380 J W Brooks. Deployment into France and Flanders battlefields recognises regimental transferal into 2nd Lancashire Fusilier C Company. It was therefore Private 24185 John William Brooks who was instantly killed in action by a snipers head shot 25th February 1916, aged 30. Remembrance was additionally offered on listed members plaque displayed in the Huthwaite Methodist Church.
The name of a well-known Huthwaite man, once prominent in local football circles, is now added to the roll of heroes who have given their lives for their country. It is that of Private J.W. Brooks, whose address is 36, Newcastle Street. He was 30 years of age, and was in the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers (28184, C Company) He was a native of the town and enlisted in December, 1914 and went to France last august, meeting his end on the 25th of February, when he was shot through the head by a sniper. He leaves a widow and four young children. Apart from the official intimation his widow has received the following letter from her late husband’s pal in the same regiment:-
Dear Madam,- It is not very good news I have to send but no doubt you have heard by now that your husband has got hit by a sniper. I hope someone else has let you know before me. I and Jack were very good pals, and I am very sorry to tell you he is dead. I have seen the chap that was with him, and he says it was sudden; he was shot through the head. Bear it bravely. He was a good lad and was respected by all in the company. He had no pain; it was so quick. I am very, very sorry for you and the children. This is all from his pal, Herbert Clay, 24196, 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers, Transport Section. B.E.F.