Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Allister Stirling Brook (1909–1995)

Early Life and Family

Allister Stirling Brook was born on 15 February 1909 at Stirling, South Australia, the son of William Brook (1875–1936) and Fanny Ann Brook (née Cornish) (1873–1931).

His birth was registered in the Daly district (Book/Page 817/391). He was one of several children born to the family at Stansbury on the Yorke Peninsula, a region closely associated with early agricultural settlement in South Australia.

The Brook family had deep colonial roots. His paternal grandparents, Mark Wells Brook (1842–1880) and Mary Diprose (1842–1915), were early settlers, while earlier generations had emigrated from England aboard the Hoogly in 1846.

Occupation and Personal Background

Prior to military service, Allister worked as a:

Chauffeur and gardener
At the time of enlistment, he resided in North Adelaide and identified his religion as Methodist, reflecting the strong Protestant traditions common in South Australian families of the period.

Military Service (World War II)

Allister enlisted in the Australian Military Forces (Second A.I.F.) during the Second World War.

Service Number: SX3637
Attestation Date: 22 May 1940
Enlistment Date: 27 May 1940
Place of Enlistment: Adelaide, South Australia
Rank: Private
Unit: 2/7 Australian Field Regiment

Training and Deployment

Following enlistment, Allister underwent training at Woodside, South Australia, a major military training centre during the war.

He was granted pre-embarkation leave in November 1940 and subsequently:

Embarked for overseas service: 17 November 1940
Served overseas for approximately 831 days
Returned to Australia: 25 February 1943

Medical History During Service

His service record reveals that during 1943 he suffered from:

Herpes ophthalmicus (a viral infection affecting the eye)
Furunculosis (recurrent skin infections)
He was evacuated through military medical facilities and hospitalised. As a result of these conditions:

He was reclassified as medically unfit for full active service
His duties were subsequently limited
These records provide important insight into the physical challenges faced during his service.

Marriage and Next of Kin

At enlistment, Allister was recorded as single. During his service, his records were updated to reflect his marriage:

Spouse: Gweneth Vera Paull
Marriage Date: 14 January 1944
Residence: Gladstone Road, Prospect, South Australia
His wife was formally recorded as his next of kin in military documentation.

Discharge

Allister was discharged from the Australian Military Forces on:

5 February 1945
His total service included:

1716 days of service overall
831 days of overseas service
His discharge followed medical downgrading and completion of his period of wartime service.

Physical Description (Enlistment Record)

At the time of enlistment, Allister was described as:

Hair: Dark brown
Eyes: Grey
Distinguishing mark: Mole on left cheek
These details provide a rare personal glimpse into his physical appearance.

Later Life and Death

Following his discharge, Allister returned to civilian life in South Australia. He lived through the post-war decades and remained connected to the Adelaide area.

He died on 18 August 1995, aged 86 years, as confirmed by Department of Veterans' Affairs correspondence.

Burial

Allister is buried at:

Enfield Memorial Park

Clearview, South Australia

He is interred alongside his wife, Gweneth.

Family Summary

Father: William Brook (1875–1936)
Mother: Fanny Ann Cornish (1873–1931)
Spouse: Gweneth Vera Brook (née Paull)
Marriage: 14 January 1944
Residence: North Adelaide / Prospect, South Australia

Sources

National Archives of Australia (NAA): B883, SX3637 – Service Record of Allister Stirling Brook
Australian Military Attestation Papers (1940)
Service and Casualty Forms, Medical Reports, and Discharge Documentation
Department of Veterans' Affairs correspondence confirming date of death
South Australian Birth Registration (Daly District, 817/391)
South Australian Marriage and Death indexes
Family reconstruction based on South Australian BDM records and cemetery data

Disclaimer

This biography has been compiled from official military service records, South Australian civil registration indexes, and supporting archival material. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some details—particularly relating to personal life, post-war activities, and family relationships—may be incomplete or subject to further verification through full certificates, electoral rolls, or additional archival sources.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 10/04/2026