Cecil Fred BROOK

04 June 1915

SILSDEN

Silsden's recruiting figures have advanced fairly rapidly during the past few weeks, and before very long we shall be able to state that four percent, of the population have enlisted in various branches of His Majesty's Forces. Not since the early stages of the war has there been such a boom in enlistments. This week the names of the following have been accredited as having enlisted:- Edwin Brear and Arthur Brear, who have joined the Royal Engineers at Leeds; John Brear, Wilfred Clarkson, Henry Fort, Harry Watson, Frank Whiteoak, Robert Parkinson, Cecil Fred Brook, and Norman Taylor, the latter having been a teacher at the Hothfield Street Council School. An interesting story has been told concerning one of a party of five who set out for Skipton on Monday morning with the intention of joining the Colours. It appears that the youth in question was still wearing short trousers, and thinking that would be a fatal objection to his chance of acceptance, he perceived an excellent idea of getting over the difficulty. He took with him a pair of trousers belonging to an older person - unknown to anyone at home except himself - and put them on in preference to his younger looking togs before arriving at Skipton. On reaching the Recruiting Office he left his bundle outside in charge of someone. Even after such a determined effort he was not accepted on account of his youth.

27 September 1918

SILSDEN - DEATH FROM WOUNDS IN FRANCE

Private Cecil Brooks, son of Mrs. Brooks, of 32 Kirkgate, Silsden, died of wounds at 26th General Hospital, France, on September 20th. Private Brooks, who was 18 years of age, enlisted in January, and had only been in France about five weeks. Previous to joining the Army he was employed as a miller by Messrs. Prince Smith and Son, Keighley. In his last letter home he said that he had been through an operation, and he hoped his wound would get him over to 'Blighty', and that he was as well as could be expected.

The assistant matron at the hospital has written a letter to Mrs. Brooks, in which she says:- "I am very sorry to have to tell you that your son died peacefully yesterday afternoon at 4-30 p.m. I can assure you we could not save him for you owing to the poison being virulent, and though we hoped to save him by taking off his leg, it was not to be. Your boy will be buried in a British Cemetery near to the hospital, and his grave will always be cared for and tended. With much sympathy in the loss of a fine son."

Mrs. Brooks has another son serving, Signaller Ernest Brooks, R.F.A

18 June 1920

SILSDEN - Death of a Silsden Soldier

News of the death of Gunner Ernest Brook, son of Mrs. Brook, of Kirkgate, Silsden, who passed away at Netley Hospital Southampton, was received on Saturday morning. Gunner Brook joined the R.F.A. in February 1917 as a driver. He went to France in September, 1918, and received injuries which necessitated his removal to hospital. He was eventually transferred to Netley Hospital. The funeral took place at Silsden on Wednesday afternoon with full military honours. Prior to the interment a service was held at the Silsden Primitive Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. J. Hodges. Mrs. Brook lost another son in the war, Pte. Cecil Fred Brook, of the West Riding Regt., who died of wounds received in action in September 1918. Mrs. Brook, who is a widow, resides in Kirkgate, Silsden, with her only daughter.