Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

born  8/7/1890 in Belalie, Near Jamestown, South Australia
(Birth Source: 1842 - 1906 Book: 463 Page: 224 District: Cla.)

Son of Thomas Brooks and Mother Laura Jane (nee Hopgood) living in Jamestown SA.

Father Thomas was the owner of the Excelsior Chaff Mill, on the site of the old ‘Belalie Hotel’ (the Bostons Hotel in 1995).

Arthur was a capital lacrosse player from his school days up, and was a member of the
Interstate Team and a member of the Foresters Lodge.

Prior to the war he worked as a Chaff Merchant at his father's Chaff Mill and was
the right-hand man in the horse department.

Siblings:
Older brother  Joseph Johnston Brooks - Lieutenant 3rd Light Horse Regiment
                     b. 1/7/1887 - d. 12/4/1953
                     16/5/1919  returned to Australia
                     m. 8/9/1920 Daisy Brown

Sister             Laura Beatrice Kemp (nee Brooks)
                     b. 23/4/1889 in Clare -  d.
                     m. ______ to  Vivian Charles Ernest Kemp, b. 1/1/1886 in Adelaide
                     living at Wirrabara
                     (Vivian's parents William James KEMP and  Mother Lavinia BROWN)

Sister             Blanche Isabella Kemp (nee Brooks)
                     b. 9/8/1891 -  d.
                     m. ______ to  Ivan Ralph Kemp, b. 16/2/1924 Moonta Bay
                     (Ivan’s parents Victor KEMP and Ruby Myrtle OLDS)

Next of kin in service:
Older brother   Lieutenant Joseph Johnston Brooks  (Joe or JJ) b. 1/7/1887 - d. 12/4/1953
                                      3rd Light Horse Regiment
                                      Sthn Austn Birth Source: 1842 - 1906 Book: 397 Page: 165 District: Cla.
                                      Returned to Australia (disembarked back in Australia 26/6/1919)

Cousin            16222       David Thomas Brooks
                                      Father Frederick BROOKS and Mother Mrs Mary Brooks (nee Ross) of Jamestown
                                      Private in 8^th Field Ambulance
                                      b. 14/3/1888 in Whyte Yarcowie, South Australia
                                      Sth Austn Births source: 1842 - 1906 Book: 413 Page: 255 District: Fro.
                                      returned to Jamestown

Cousin            3035         Elliott Harvey Brooks (brother to David)
                                      Father Frederick BROOKS and Mother Mrs Mary Brooks (nee Ross) of Jamestown
                                      32^nd Battalion
                                      b. 24/5/1889 in Whyte Yarcowie, South Australia
                                      Sth Austn Births source: 1842 - 1906 Book: 439 Page: 187 District: Bur.
                                      Returned 11/12/1918 to Australia
                                      d. 26/5/1949

Described on enlisting as 24 years 1 month old; single; 6' 8 3/4" tall; 155 lbs;
fresh complexion; blue eyes; light brown hair; Presbyterian

12/8/1915    completed medical in Adelaide - fit for service

18/8/1915    Enlisted with his best friend, 3042 Private Anthony Ray Burford from Jamestown,  in Adeliade
                   (they remained tent mates up to the time when they made the great sacrifice
                    in the Battle of Armentiers).

18/8/1915    Commanding Officer appointed Arthur to F Company,  2nd Depot Company
                   Mitcham Camp

12/1/1916    Arthur and cousin Elliott embarked together from Outer Harbour, Pt Adelaide
                   on board HMAT Medic (A7)
                   with the 7th Infantry Brigade, 27th Infantry Battalion, 7th reinforcements

After another stint in Egypt, the 7th Brigade proceeded to France as part of the 2nd Australian Division. The 27th Battalion entered the front-line trenches for the first time on 7 April 1916 (later taking part in its first major battle at Pozières between 28/7 and 5/8/1916).

6/4/1916      transferred to the 32nd Battalion, Duntroon Plateau

17/6/1916    embarked to join British Expeditionary Forces, Alexandria
23/6/1916    disembarked ex HMT Transylvania, Marseilles, France

The 32nd Battalion fought its first major battle at Fromelles on 19/7/1916, having only entered the front-line trenches 3 days previously. The attack was a disastrous introduction to battle for the 32nd - it suffered 718 casualties, almost 75 per cent of the battalion’s total strength, but closer to 90 per cent of its actual fighting strength. Although it still spent periods in the front line, the 32nd played no major offensive role for the rest of the year.

20/7/1916    originally noted as Missing in Action

20/7/1916    Private Arthur Brooks was killed in action in France
12/8/1917    (Court of Inquiry - confirmed Arthur had been killed in action in the field,
                    in the Fromelles vicinity, France)
                    Killed in the Battle of Armentieries 

buried in:      NO known grave

commemorated at:
                   Panel No 5, VC Corner, Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France.

Medals:
British War medal (29593);  Victory Medal (29711);
Memorial Plaque and Memorial Scroll (329615).

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  2/1/2015.  Lest we forget.