WW1 Casualty: Private 12965 Francis Brookes - Private 12965 Francis Brookes
| Unit/Regiment |
13th Bn., King's (Liverpool Regiment) |
| Date of Death |
31/08/1918 |
Age at Death |
21 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Vis-en-Artois Memorial
Panel 3 & 4 |
| Census Details |
1901 Census -
Living at 7 Yates Court, Sewell Street, Prescot, were Edward Brookes, a 40 year old coal miner, and his wife Sarah, also aged 40. Their children are also at the address and are Edwin (18), Gerty (15), Albert (13), Theresa (11) and Frank (4).
1911 Census -
The Brookes family lived at 3, Carvers Yard, Prescot. Sarah was aged 51 and widowed after 30 years of marriage, Living with her were sons Edwin (27), a General Labourer in the Wire Works, Francis (14), an assistant House Painter, and daughter Theresa (21), an Electric Lamp Tester. |
| Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations |
Birth Registered Q2/1897, Prescot, 8b, 682
Marriage to Mary Ascroft registered in Prescot, Q1/1918, Volume 8b, Page 1085. Mary was the daughter of Peter Ascroft, who can be found on the 'Also Served' pages.
Son Francis born Q1/1918, Prescot |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Prescot, Lancs |
| Enlisted |
Warrington, Lancs |
| Resided |
Whiston, Lancs |
| How Died |
Killed in Action |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Research Ref. No. |
P028 |
Service DetailsFrancis Brooks enlisted in Liverpool on 22nd August 1914, embarking for France on 20th May 1915. In addition to service with the 13th Battalion, he also served with the 11th and 4th Battalions of the King's (Liverpool Regiment), probably changing battalions when returning to active service after recovering from wounds.
In August 1918, the 13th Battalion of the Regiment were engaged in the Battle of Albert, which ran from 21st to 23rd. They formed part of the 3rd Division. Early on the 21st, the 2nd Division attacked the Ablainzeville-Moyenville ridge, successfully taking the objective. The 3rd Division passed through, aiming for the Achiet-le-Grand-Arras railway.
There was a thick mist and the leading companies came under machine-gun fire as soon as they set off. 'D' Company, supported by a tank, captured many prisoners in taking their objective and 'C' Company rushed the machine gun positions, taking their objective despite heavy casualties.
By the time they moved to bivouacs at Ayette, they had suffered 4 officers killed, 7 wounded and 263 Other Rank casualties.
After a brief respite, the Battalion was back in action on the 31st August when they took part in the attack on Ecoust. The attack was a success but once again they incurred heavy casualties, estimated at 9 officers and 200 Other Ranks. Amongst these was Francis Brookes. His body was never identified and he is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial.
After the war was over, the Parish Magazine reported on 27th November 1918, 'The following names to be added to the list of honour' and included ''Pte. Francis Brookes, 21, the King's Liverpools. Killed in Action 31st August 1918, of 4 Pottery Fields, and had left a widow and one child'.
His Medal Index Card, below, shows his rank of Acting Corporal, but does not refer to his service with different battalions of the Regiment. His entitlement is shown as British War Medal and Victory Medal. However, the card also does not record his entry to France which would have entitled him to the 1914-1915 Star. For this reason, it seems likely that he had more than one Medal Index Card.
Francis Brookes' Medal Index Card
Private Brookes' inscription on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial
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