BROOKS, Percy Edward
| Service Number: | 6474 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 April 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Colac, Victoria, Australia, 5 June 1890 |
| Home Town: | Cootamundra, Cootamundra, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | 23 December 1949, aged 59 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Apr 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 6474, 2nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 6474, 2nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Ceramic embarkation_ship_number: A40 public_note: '' | |
| 7 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 6474, 2nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ceramic, Sydney |
Help us honour Percy Edward Brooks's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Percy was one of five Cootamundra brothers who served in the AIF during WW1. Two of them were lost, Harold Spencer Brooks 2nd Battalion, who enlisted with Percy, was killed in action at Bullecourt 9 April 1917. Stanley Brooks, 18th Battalion AIF, was killed near the same village less than a month later.
Percy Brooks wrote a letter to home, relating to the death of his two brothers, which was published in the Cootamundra Herald during late 1917.
Pte. Percy Brooks. Somewhere in France, 29th August, 17: - Papers from home are very, very acceptable. By all accounts Cootamundra seems to be the same old place. Just about two days before Harold was killed, he received a letter from you. Yes, I suppose you all got a shock when you heard about Harold, but I can assure you it was nothing like the shock I got, when he was killed lying right along side of me. The worst part of it was burying him away out here on the battlefield. It was awful. I cannot realise he has gone, but I suppose when we all get home again, he will be missing. He died fighting for his country, and that he did nobly and well. A month after Harold was killed, Stan was reported missing. He was in the same battle as I when I got wounded. I really do not know what to think about it. It is terrible living in such suspense. I do hope we will hear something definite about him very soon. I was unfortunate, after going through the battle. I got hit the last day. A piece of shell got me. I thought somebody hit me on the head with a sledge hammer. After I regained consciousness, I was too frightened to feel for my head for fear it had been knocked off my shoulders. To make a long story short, I am here, alive and well. I had a good time in hospital. Last time I joined the battalion, I had Harold with me, and Stan to meet when we arrived here; but this time I was on my own, and no one to meet when I got here. How cruel and sad this war is! We are having beautiful weather here now, but I don't suppose it will be long before we are up to our knees in mud and slush again. I hope some finality is reached before the winter sets in. The last one was enough for me!
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