BROOKS, Joseph Johnson
| Service Numbers: | Lieutenant, Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 21 August 1914, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Major |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Clare, South Australia, 1 July 1887 |
| Home Town: | Jamestown, Northern Areas, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Jamestown Public School |
| Occupation: | Clerical |
| Died: | Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia, 12 April 1953, aged 65 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) Row 10, Grave 39. |
| Memorials: | Adelaide Grand Masonic Lodge WW1 Honour Board (2), Jamestown Presbyterian Church WW1 Honor Roll, Jamestown Soldier's Memorial Park Arch, Naval Military and Air Force Club of SA Inc WW1 Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 21 Aug 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 Oct 1914: |
Involvement
AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Lieutenant, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: '' |
|
| 22 Oct 1914: | Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Lieutenant, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Port Lincoln, Adelaide | |
| 12 May 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Lieutenant, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 15 Apr 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Captain, Lieutenant, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 26 Oct 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Major, Officer, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, Middle East / Mediterranean Theatre | |
| 26 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1 |
"The NOBLE EIGHT" - Our Boys for the Front - God Speed and a Safe Return
The Noble Eight - 1914 (from Jamestown, South Australia).
Thank you to the works by Mrs Barbara I Parri (dec) and Mrs Kaye B Bottrall of Jamestown, SA.
Colonel Sergeant W C (Claude) Burford (dec)
Private Colin Cameron (dec)
Private C A Tonquest (dec)
Lieutenant J J (Joe) Brooks
Private Jim Dawes
Private Stan Lambert
Private W G (Bill) Rosie
Private V R (Roy) Swann
First Party of Volunteers to join the AIF, after declaration of war with Germany 4 August 1914.
All these men served at Gallipoli and from there to Egypt and France. Three paid the supreme sacrifice and the remaining five men returned to Jamestown, South Australia.
Mentioned in the “Agriculturist & Review” newspaper – September 1914 (see picture) and 12/11/1914.
AU REVOIR 11 September 1914
“Our Boys for the Front – God speed and a safe return”
Local folk turned out enmasse on Monday morning, 7 September 1914, to give ‘Our Boys in Khaki’ a right royal send off. Almost the whole of the business places were closed until after the train, which bore our quota of heroes, had gone out of sight.
At about 9:30am residents of the town, of all ages, began to assemble at Victoria Square and about 10 o’clock the time fixed for the ceremony, there was a large and enthusiastic gathering including the school children. Willing workers had made the Square brighter with strings of bunting in which the grand old Union Jack predominated, whilst the band, under the leadership of Mr Barclay, enlivened the proceedings with a number of selections.
At 10:00am the Mayor Mr R E Humphris took his place on the trolly, and was accompanied by Ministers of Religion and other leading citizens with the soldiers for the front drawn up at the end as follows:-
Lieutenant J J (Joe) Brooks and Privates: V R (Roy) Swann, Jim Dawes, W G (Bill) Rosie, Colin Cameron and C A Tonquest with the B Squadron Australian Light Horse. Colonel Sergeant W C (Claude) Burford with the 12th Infantry and Private Stan Lambert with the 10th Infantry.
His worship said that they were gathered together for the purpose of saying goodbye to their boys who were going to Europe to help uphold the integrity and freedom of the Empire. They were boys of he good old Bull Dog Breed.
Lieutenant A D Mitchell, Officer Commander (OC) B Squadron 24th Light Horse, said he felt proud that the men from his squadron were going. The offer of Jamestown lads for the first contingent had been very pleasing and the boys had offered themselves with pleasure.
Other speeches and good wishes from Mr H Boucaut, Reverend W T Shapley and Reverend R A Adams. Cheers for the King and Empire, Joe and the other boys and Song of Australia.
The trolly was then commandeered for the ‘Boys in Khaki’ who were drawn by willing hands through the people, al of whom were eager to get close enough for a hearty handshake and a personal wish of good luck, so that progress was exceedingly slow until the Square was cleared. The band headed the march to the railway station playing ‘Songs of the Brave’.
At the station the boys met with right royal treatment until the train steamed out, when rousing cheers were again given in last efforts to cheer and strengthen the departing soldiers on their journey to honour.
Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 2/1/1915. Lest we forget.
Submitted 2 January 2015 by Julianne Ryan
Biography contributed by Kathleen Bambridge
On 6 March General Birdwood presented Major JJ Brooks 3rd Light Horse with a Distinguished Service Order.
Biography
Known as ‘Joe’ or ‘JJ’ - born 1 July 1887 in Clare, SA
(SA Birth record 1842 - 1906 Book: 397 Page: 165 District: Cla.)
Eldest son of Thomas Brooks and Mother Laura Jane Brooks (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).
Prior to the war he worked in his fathers Chaff Mill, undertaking clerical work.
Joe also played lacrosse for the local club, with six of the 'Original Eight'.
Prior service:
JJ spent 10 years as a member of the Light Horse Regiment of Jamestown
and an Officer in charge of A Troop, commenced in 1911.
Siblings:
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)
Brother Arthur Edmond Brooks - Private 32nd Battalion
b. 8/7/1890 - d. 20/7/1916 KIA France
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:
Younger brother 3034 Arthur Edmond (Scotty) Brooks
32nd Battalion
b. 8/7/1890 in Belalie, Near Jamestown, South Australia
SA Births records 1842 - 1906 Book: 463 Page: 224 District: Cla.
20/7/1916 paid the supreme sacrifice
killed in action at the Battle of Armentieries (26 years old)
No known grave
Panel No 5, Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Cousin 16222 David Thomas Brooks
Father Frederick BROOKS and Mother Mrs Mary Brooks (nee Ross) of Jamestown
Private in 8th Field Ambulance
b. 14/3/1888 in Whyte Yarcowie, South Australia
SA Births records 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
32nd Battalion
b. 24/5/1889 in Whyte Yarcowie, South Australia
SA Births records 1842 - 1906 Book: 439 Page: 187 District: Bur.
Returned 11/12/1918 to Australia
d. 26/5/1949
Described on enlisting as 2 years 2 months old; single;
Presbyterian
21/8/1914 Enlisted with “the Noble Eight” - in Adelaide
in B Squadron, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, as Lieutenant.
22/10/1914 Embarked from Outer Harbour, Pt Adelaide on board HMAT A17 Port Lincoln
as a Lieutenant with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment
9/5/1915 Proceeded to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces, Gallipoli
12/5/1915 disembarked to Anzac Cove
After Gallipoli he saw service in Egypt
11/9/1915 sick jaundice to hospital - left Anzac Cove
16/9/1915 sick to hospital, Malta - ex HS ship Gascon
27/9/1915 sick, embarked to England, per Hospital Ship, HS Karoola
5/101915 3rd London General Hospital, Wanderworth
29/12/1915 returned to Expeditionary Force draft, ex Australia & NZ Base
taken on strength
10/1/1916 returned to Egypt for duty
15/1/1916 embarked from England to Alexandria
26/1/1916 rejoined unit, 3rd Light Horse Regiment
27/3/1916 returned to duty ex hospital, Tel-El-Kebir
28/3/1916 seconded from regiment while doing duty with 1st Light Horse
15/4/1916 Anzac Mounted Division
15/4/1916 Promoted to CAPTAIN, during active service in Gallipoli
12/10/1916 to 1st Ligh Horse Regiment, Moascar
rejoined 3rd Light Horse Regiment from duty, Kantara
26/10/1916 Promoted to MAJOR
19/1/1917 Awarded Distinuished Service Order - gallantry in action
Egyptian Expeditionary Froces (EEF)
4/2/1917 to School of Instructions
3/3/1917 received DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO)
for service rendered at the Battle of Magdlah.
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He handled his men in a most
capable manner during a frontal attack under intense fire. He set
a splendid example of courage and determination throughout.'
London Gazettte - 3/3/1917, Page 2190, position 2
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette - 25/7/1917, Page 1544, position 47
6/7/1917 MENTION IN DESPATCHES - London Gazette Page 6773, position 26
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 11/10/1917, Page 2664, position 30
21/1/1918 Rejoned regiment, from School of Insructions
30/4/1918 rejoined 3rd Light Horse Regiment, Moascar
6/10/1918 sick to hospital in the field
11/10/1918 admitted to 47th Stationary Hospital - Malaria
17/10/1918 admited to 14th Australian General Hospital, Port Said, Egypt
7/11/1918 granted sick leave
21/11/1918 returned from leave
9/12/1918 marched in ex AIF HQ, Moascar
30/12/1918 to 3rd Light Horse Regiment
31/12/1918 joined 3rd Light Horse - in the field
15/5/1919 Embarked on board HT Orari, ex Kantara for Australia
26/6/1919 disembarked into Australia
26/8/1919 discharged from service
After the war he returned to Jamestown.
Medals:
Distinguished Service Order; Mention in Despatches,
1914-15 Star (2124); British War Medal (394); Victory Medal (395)
Married 8/9/1920 to Daisy Brown, daughter of John (Butcher) Brown.
No children.
JJ’s father, Thomas Brooks, left Jamestown in 1921, when his son JJ became Proprietor until 18/12/1925 when the Mill (then at the Railway Yards) was destroyed by fire.
1/7/1923 had the honour of laying the Foundation Stone of the Belalie East Memorial Hall, as Lieutenant-Colonel JJ Brooks. Addressed the gathering on the sacrifices made in Palestine and Egypt campaigns as one who had been through from start to finish.
1925 JJ had the honour of handing over the Kings Colours in St James Church of England, as Commanding Officer of the 9th Light Horse.
1926 JJ received a medal for service, completing 21 years (1905-1926).
1927/1928 – as Colonel JJ Brooks, was President of the local RSL.
1933 JJ was in business at Spalding for a short time.
1939-45 World War II – JJ worked as a Commonwealth Security Agent.
*** An outstanding military career – possibly the greatest for Jamestown. ***
12/4/1953 JJ passed away – at the Repatriation General Hospital, Daw Park
buried in: AIF section - West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide
Row 10, Grave 39
Thank you to Mrs Barbara I Parri (dec) and Mrs Kaye B Bottrall, from Jamestown, for their research.
Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan. 2/1/1915. Lest we forget.
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