Frederick Rayner Brooks

Rank:

Private

Regimental number:

772604

Unit at enlistment:

125th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Wounded:

Yes

Date of death:

September 2nd, 1918

Cemetery:

Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery Haucourt - Pas de Calais, France - II.B.28.

Commemorated at:

Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Sons of England Memorial Plaque, Slingsby Manufacturing Co. Plaque, Massey-Harris Memorial Plaque (Toronto)

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Greater London

Birth city:

London

Address at enlistment:

85 Brighton Row, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

85 Brighton Row, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Labourer

Employer:

Massey-Harris Co.

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Single

Age at enlistment:

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action. The only information available regarding this soldier is that he was killed during the attack on the Drocourt-Queant Line.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Vicinity of Drury.

BX October 17, 1918

Mr. and Mrs. George Brooks 21 Ontario Street, have received official word that their son, Pte. Frederick Rayner Brooks, late of the 125th, and recently attached to the 75th as a stretcher-bearer, was killed in action on Oct 2. The deceased hero was employed in the wood-working department at Massey-Harris. He played for the S.O.E. football team and was well known locally. His brother Walter, who enlisted with the 84th, has been invalided to England as incapacitated. His father returned in April last after three years’ service with the 36th Battalion. A cousin has twice been on torpedoed units of the British navy. Five sisters, Agnes, Alice, Florence, Amy and Annie, and three brothers, Walter, Francis and James, with the parents, mourn the departed hero.

BX March 26, 1918

Shell Gassed

Mr. and Mrs. George William Brooks, 21 Ontario Street, has received official word that their son Private Frederick Rayner Brooks, infantry, was officially reported to have been admitted to No. 4 Field Ambulance Depot, March 17, suffering from shell gas. Pte. Brooks was employed at Massey-Harris previous to enlistment with the 125th. He was a well known soccer player, being signed up with the S.O.E. His brother Walter Gilbert, who was with the 84th, is in England invalided. The father, Corp. Brooks, just returned home on Wednesday after three years service. He is on furlough.