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Cecil Fred BROOK

Main CPGW Record

Surname: BROOK

Forename(s): Cecil Fred

Place of Birth: Embsay, Yorkshire

Service No: 35089

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 5th Battalion

Division: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division

Age: 18

Date of Death: 1918-09-20

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: LXV. G. 3.

CWGC Cemetery: ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: SILSDEN, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Cecil Fred Brook was the son of John Harling and Margaret Ann Brook, née Stansfield and brother of Gunner Ernest Brook (221595) (q.v.). Their father was born at Keighley and mother at Cononley, Yorkshire.

1901 Steeton, Yorkshire Census: 4, Bridge Street - Cecil Fred Brook, aged 1 year, born Embsay, Yorkshire, son of John Harling and Margaret Ann Brook.

1911 Embsay, Yorkshire Census: Centenary Place - Cecil Fred Brook, aged 11 years, born Embsay, son of Margaret Ann Brook, widow.

The British Army Service Record for Cecil Fred Brook exists but may be incomplete.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Cecil F. Brook, 99675, Durh. L. I.; 35089, W. Rid. R. D. of W. 20.9.18.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Cecil Fred Brook, 99675, 2/7th Durh. L. I.; 35089, 5th W. Rid. R. D. of W. 20.9.18.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Cecil Fred Brook, 35089, 5th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 20.9.18. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Margaret A. £4 12s. 7d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: joint card(s) exist for Cecil and Ernest. Name(s) on card(s): Name of Dependant: Mrs Margaret Ann Brook. Date of birth: 1871. Relationship: Mother. Address: 32, Kirkgate, Silsden.

On the 30 January 1918, the 1/5th Bn Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) was transferred from the 49th (West Riding) Division to the 62nd (2/West Riding) Division and absorbed the 2/5th Battalion becoming the 5th Battalion.

A short biography of Cecil is included in: ‘Though lost to sight to memory ever dear – Embsay-with-Eastby First World War Roll of Honour’ by Jane Lunnon, David Turner, Chris Lunnon (2018).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

BOOTH, Cecil F., aged 18, West Riding Regiment, 32, Kirkgate, [Silsden], died of wounds Sept. 20, 1918.

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Private Cecil Fred BROOK

Private Cecil Fred BROOK

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: BROOK

Forename(s): Cecil Fred

Born: Embsay, Yorks

Residence:

Enlisted: Halifax

Number: 35089

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 2/5th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 20/09/18

Died How: Died of wounds

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: BROOK

Forename(s): Cecil Fred

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 35089

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: 5th Bn.

Age: 18

Awards:

Died Date: 20/09/1918

Additional Information: Son of John Harling Brook and Margaret Ann Brook, of Silsden, nr. Keighley, Yorks. One of our only two sons, both of whom were killed.

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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records

Steeton-with-Eastburn Cemetery

Steeton-with-Eastburn Cemetery

CWGC private memorial (to Gunner Ernest Brook)

Steeton-with-Eastburn Cemetery

Steeton-with-Eastburn Cemetery

CWGC private memorial (to Gunner Ernest Brook) - detail of memorial inscription to his brother Private Cecil Fred Brook

Etaples Military Cemetery

Etaples Military Cemetery

CWGC Headstone

View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

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.

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

West Yorkshire Pioneer Logo

27 September 1918

BROOK - Died of wounds Sept. 20th, Pte. Cecil Fred Brook, West Riding Regiment, son of Mrs. Brook, 32, Kirkgate, Silsden, aged 18.

27 September 1918

Silsden Soldier Dies of Wounds

Mrs. Brook, of 32, Kirkgate, Silsden, has received word that her son, Pte. Cecil Fred Brook, of the Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, died of wounds at the 26th General Hospital, France, on Sept. 20th. The assistant matron at the hospital, in a letter to Mrs. Book, states:- "I am very sorry to have to tell you that your son died yesterday afternoon at 4-30. He died very quietly and very peacefully. I am very sorry we could not save him for you, but the poison was very virulent, and though we hoped to save him by taking off his leg it was not to be. Your boy will be buried in the British Cemetery next to the hospital, and his grave will always be cared for and tended. With much sympathy in the loss of a fine son." In his last letter home Pte. Brook wrote:- "I have been under an operation to-day for my wound, and I hope it will get me to Blighty. I am going on as well as can be expected." Pte. Brook, who was 18 years of age, enlisted in January last, and has only been out in France about five weeks. He was formerly employed as a miller by Messrs. Prince Smith and Son, Burlington Shed, Keighley. Mrs. Brook has another son serving, Signaller Ernest Brook, of the Royal Field Artillery.

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