CHARLES HERBERT BROOK & ELLEN FRODSHAM
The marriage of Charles Herbert Brook to Ellen Frodsham (Born March 6, 1869) took place in July 1890 at St. Helens Parish Church, St. Helens, Lancashire UK. On the 1891 census Charles and Ellen are recorded as living at 53 Denton's Green Lane with their two-week old son Robert Goldthorpe Brook.
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On the left you will see a recent picture of 53 Dentons Green Lane in St. Helens. It is quite possible that the street numbers have been changed as this street now begins further south of the area shown to me on a map at the St. Helens Archives. So, for the time being we can 'tentatively' say that this is where some of our ancestors lived and were born. If I obtain information contradictory to this, I will update this page immediately.
Charles and Ellen had four children in St. Helens. They are listed as follows with the Birth Marriage and Death records (BMD) for Lancashire as follows: Robert G Brook (1891) Ref SH.188/10 Marie L Brook (1893) Ref SH/203/55 Doris M Brook (1895) Ref SH/212/91 Charles H Brook (1897) Ref SH/221/52 |
Charles, Ellen, Robert, Marie, Doris and Charles Jr. immigrated to Canada in 19XX. They are listed in the 1901 Canada census as living in 'District 43 Addington' (Palmerston Township - Mississippi Village) along with Ellen's mother Marie Frodsham. Charles was also a hobbyist photographer, His son Robert would later become a professional photographer with a home-studio at 485 Aylmer Street in Peterborough, Ontario. In fact, like R.G. Brook from St. Helens, the entire family it seems all took a great interest in art, music or photography, perhaps genetic in nature since there remains amongst family members paintings from many of our ancestors, and many others went on to be painters, pianists, composers and photographers alike.
 From left to right: Robert Goldthorpe, Charles Herbert Jr. (See Private... below), Marie L, Doris M (on her father's knee), and Charles Herbert Brook. Photographer and location unknown. |
 Charles Herbert Brook Sr. Photo taken by his son, Robert Goldthorpe Brook, in Peterborough, Ontario |
Private Charles Herbert Brook
Born on 15 December 1897 in St. Helens, Lancashire, England - son of Charles Herbert Brook, Belleville, Ontario - enlistment records note the following: trade as clerk, single, currently serving with the 15th Regiment Argyll Light Infantry (for two years), no previous military service, Presbyterian, height of 5 feet 9 inches, chest of 34.5 inches fully expanded, fair complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair.
Joined the 80th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Belleville, Ontario, on 2 October 1915 (number 219483) - taken on the strength of the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion in England on 18 July 1916 - [no record of him going to France with the 38th] - transferred to the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion on 2 September 1916 - landed in France with the 72nd Battalion on 12 August 1916 [sic?] - taken on the strength of the 72nd Battalion in France on 3 August 1918 - wounded on 2 September 1918 - wounded on 4 November 1918.
Awarded the Military Cross
The Military Cross can be awarded to commissioned officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below (therefore acting and temporary Majors are eligible) or Warrant Officers for distinguished and meritorious services in battle. In 1920, the terms were altered to clearly state the award was for gallant and distinguished services in action and that naval and air force officers could be awarded the cross for gallant and distinguished services on the ground.
The Military Cross was awarded once to 2885 members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Army) during World War I; the Military Cross plus bar were awarded to another 294; and the Military Cross and two bars were awarded to a further 16 servicemen.
Awarded the Military Medal
The medal is awarded to Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers and men for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a Commander in Chief in the field. The silver, laurelled bar is awarded for a subsequent act or acts of bravery and devotion under fire.
Born on 15 December 1897 in St. Helens, Lancashire, England - son of Charles Herbert Brook, Belleville, Ontario - enlistment records note the following: trade as clerk, single, currently serving with the 15th Regiment Argyll Light Infantry (for two years), no previous military service, Presbyterian, height of 5 feet 9 inches, chest of 34.5 inches fully expanded, fair complexion, blue eyes, dark brown hair.
Joined the 80th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Belleville, Ontario, on 2 October 1915 (number 219483) - taken on the strength of the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion in England on 18 July 1916 - [no record of him going to France with the 38th] - transferred to the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion on 2 September 1916 - landed in France with the 72nd Battalion on 12 August 1916 [sic?] - taken on the strength of the 72nd Battalion in France on 3 August 1918 - wounded on 2 September 1918 - wounded on 4 November 1918.
Awarded the Military Cross
The Military Cross can be awarded to commissioned officers of the substantive rank of Captain or below (therefore acting and temporary Majors are eligible) or Warrant Officers for distinguished and meritorious services in battle. In 1920, the terms were altered to clearly state the award was for gallant and distinguished services in action and that naval and air force officers could be awarded the cross for gallant and distinguished services on the ground.
The Military Cross was awarded once to 2885 members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (Army) during World War I; the Military Cross plus bar were awarded to another 294; and the Military Cross and two bars were awarded to a further 16 servicemen.
Awarded the Military Medal
The medal is awarded to Warrant Officers, non-commissioned officers and men for individual or associated acts of bravery on the recommendation of a Commander in Chief in the field. The silver, laurelled bar is awarded for a subsequent act or acts of bravery and devotion under fire.
The Military Cross (left) & The Military Medal (right). The location of the exact medals C.H. Brook received are unknown.
A SECTION TAKEN FROM THE WAR DIARIES
72nd Infantry Battalion
SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS
of
CANADA
REPORT ON OPERATIONS
OCTOBER 22nd to NOVEMBER 6th, 1918
THIRD PHASE
STRENGTH:
13 Officers and 395 Other Ranks took part in the third phase of the operations, disposed as follows:
HEADQUARTERS
Major J. Hamilton, M. C., A/Commanding Officer.
Capt. J. H. Blair, Medical Officer.
Capt. A. H. Finley, M. C., Battn. Int. Officer
Liet. E. J. M. Cardinali, Asst. Adjutant.
Other Ranks - 45
"A" Company:
Lieut J. A. McGregor, M. C., M.M.
Lieut. C. H. Brook, M. M.
Other Ranks 24
(Other companies of "B", "C", "D", and "A" Echelon, Transport were also listed here)
72nd Infantry Battalion
SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS
of
CANADA
REPORT ON OPERATIONS
OCTOBER 22nd to NOVEMBER 6th, 1918
THIRD PHASE
STRENGTH:
13 Officers and 395 Other Ranks took part in the third phase of the operations, disposed as follows:
HEADQUARTERS
Major J. Hamilton, M. C., A/Commanding Officer.
Capt. J. H. Blair, Medical Officer.
Capt. A. H. Finley, M. C., Battn. Int. Officer
Liet. E. J. M. Cardinali, Asst. Adjutant.
Other Ranks - 45
"A" Company:
Lieut J. A. McGregor, M. C., M.M.
Lieut. C. H. Brook, M. M.
Other Ranks 24
(Other companies of "B", "C", "D", and "A" Echelon, Transport were also listed here)
"A Patrol of one officer (Lieut. C. H. Brook, M.M.) and eight Other Ranks, under cover of the above barrage, succeeded in reaching a point approximately X.16.a.80.50., but owing to a Battalion on our left failing to come up this patrol was completely wiped out by enemy machine gun fire coming from the direction of X.9.d.75.35., and X.10.c., five other ranks being killed and the balance of the patrol wounded. Owing to the strong opposition put up by the enemy with artillery, machine gun and rifle fire, it was deemed advisable, on advice from Brigade Headquarters, to withdraw the post at X.16.d.20.50. This was done and a line of posts established from X.22.c.10.80. to the eastern edge of the Cemetery in X.16.c.70.50., thence to X.16.a.30.40. Dispositions were as follows:
"D" Company - Right front line.
"A" Company - Left front line.
"B" Company - Right support.
"C" Company - Left support.
During the night of the 4/5th November the Battalion was relieved by the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion and the 5th G. H. R. Battalion. Relief was complete at 0535 hours on November 5th. On relief the Battalion moved into Divisional Reserve in VALENCIENNES with Battalion Headquarters at E.9.d.65.20. On November 6th the Battalion moved from VALENSIENNES to ANZIN, with Battalion Headquarters at E.2.b.50.60."
"D" Company - Right front line.
"A" Company - Left front line.
"B" Company - Right support.
"C" Company - Left support.
During the night of the 4/5th November the Battalion was relieved by the 72nd Canadian Infantry Battalion and the 5th G. H. R. Battalion. Relief was complete at 0535 hours on November 5th. On relief the Battalion moved into Divisional Reserve in VALENCIENNES with Battalion Headquarters at E.9.d.65.20. On November 6th the Battalion moved from VALENSIENNES to ANZIN, with Battalion Headquarters at E.2.b.50.60."
These war diaries documenting our ancestor Charles Herbert Brook's efforts in France are beyond admirable. This man faced historical events with incredible bravery and a love for this and his home country that we will never have to face because of people just like him. Charles returned to Canada following his service, but he returned to England for a time prior which is where he met his wife Kay (surname unknown). This would not be greeted well by his sisters Marie and Doris in Canada, who not only awaited his healthy return, but had taken it upon themselves to find Charles a 'wife in waiting'. Obviously they held a great love for their younger brother but their efforts to 'match' him with a woman at home were very much in vain and his arrival as a married man apparently caused them both much grief.
Young Charles and his wife Kay had two children; a son named Joseph C. and a daughter named Joan. Both children were heavily involved in the arts, Joan being an established painter, and Joseph a Pianist, composer and of course, professional photographer. Both Joseph and Joan settled in Langley, British Columbia. Joan never married and instead pursued her interests in art, nature and apparently cats. Joseph found his love in a woman named Nora. Joseph passed away on a flight home from Nova Scotia on October 17, 1991, just one month after his cousin Robert Gerald Brook (my father) died in Peterborough, Ontario.
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