Ralph Drake Newbrooke

Rank: 
Private
Regimental number: 
164317
Unit at enlistment: 
84th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
No
Date of death: 
April 9th, 1917
Cemetery: 
Canadian Cemetery No. 2 - Pas de Calais, France - 1.A.42.
Commemorated at: 
St. James Anglican Church (Paris), Penmans Ltd. Honour Roll
Birth country: 
England
Birth county: 
Shropshire
Birth city: 
Whitchurch
Address at enlistment: 
Paris, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
Paris, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Knitter
Employer: 
Penmans No. 1 Mill
Religious denominations: 
Church of England
Marital status: 
Married
Age at enlistment: 
26

Letters and documents

Circumstances of Casualty: Killed in Action.
Location of Unit at Time of Casualty: Attack South of Givenchy.

BX May 7, 1917

In a late casualty list today two more local men are reported killed in action: Private W. Gatenby of 153 Northumberland Street, Brantford and Private Ralph Drake Newbrook of Paris. Private Newbrook went through a draft from the 38th Regiment in August 1915. 

BX May 7, 1917

Private Newbrook of Paris Killed – Met His Fate in Canadians Attack on Vimy Ridge on April 9

PARIS, May 7, - Another Paris man has made the supreme sacrifice in the person of Private Ralph Drake Newbrook, his wife receiving the fateful message on Saturday that he had been killed in action at Vimy Ridge on April 9th. Private Newbrook enlisted with a Toronto battalion in Brantford in August, 1915, and went overseas with that unit. On arrival in the old country he was transferred and had been in the trenches since December. Deceased, who was in his 29th year, was born in Whitchurch, Shropshire, England, and came to Paris five years ago. In 1913 he was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Eleanor Knight, who with his father and four sisters in England survives. His only brother, who was in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was killed in action last April. Deceased was a member of St. James Church, and also of Court Charity, C.O.F., and prior to enlistment was employed in Penman’s No. 1 mill.

BC December 15, 1917

Ralph Drake Newbrook was killed in action during the heavy fighting at Vimy Ridge on Easter Monday last. The deceased enlisted in the 38th Dufferin Rifles in August 1915, and later transferred to the 84th Battalion. He went overseas early in June 1916 and crossed over to France in December of the same year with a unit for the 16th Battalion. The late Private Newbrook was born at Whitchurch, Salop, England, and was in his 29th year. He came to Canada about six years ago, locating in Paris, and was employed as a knitter in No. 1 mill. On June 4th 1913, he was united in marriage to Miss Dorothy Eleanor Knight, who with his father and four sisters, survive. His only brother, who was in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was killed in action last April. Deceased was a member of St. James Church and Charity C.O.F., and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. “Dying in life’s full tide, as our divine, He died to make men free.”