THE DEATH OF MR. R.G. BROOK
I uncovered this death announcement during my visit to the St. Helens Local History & Archives Library in July 2010. It was a more lengthy version of a similar announcement of RG Brook's death. Both articles were extremely difficult to read as they were obtained from a microfiche system, and this roll of film had been accessed multiple times resulting in the vertical lines through the document. The focusing of the system was of rather poor quality as well. I am currently "cleaning up" the original digital image and will update it here for you when complete. Until then, my translation of this announcement appears below.
DEATH OF MR. R. G. BROOK
We regret to announce the death of an old St. Helens tradesman, Mr. R. G. Brook, which occurred late on Saturday night last, at the somewhat advanced age of 84. Mr. Brook had been in indifferent health for the past few years, and for some months almost confined to the home. He was fortunate in having the devoted care of his old servant Kate, now Mrs. F. Lee, during his declining years, and it was at her residence he passed quietly away as stated.
The Late Mr. Brook, who was a native of Clifton, in Yorkshire, was formerly in a large way of business as an ironmonger occupying the premises known as Wolverhampton House, which he built. For a time he was a member of the council, and took a great interest in the affairs of the town. It was while he was on the council that he presented the lamp and fountain which now stands in the Old Market Place. In his earlier days Mr. Brook took a keen interest in literary and scientific matters, and was one of the founders and the first president of the Association for the Pursuit of Science, Literature and Art, which used to meet in one of the large residences in Salisbury-street, and ran for about four years, in the eighties. There were various sections, an art section, a scientific section, a photographic section, etc., each having its own officers and committee. Mr. Brook was an expert photographer and was the controlling spirit of the photographic section. There were many interesting gatherings in the rooms, and a former member says he does not think he ever belonged to an institution in connection with which there were so many interesting and instructive demonstrations and lectures. One of the most prominent of the lectures was that delivered by Mr. Brook on his trip to the Rockies with the British Association, in connection with which he brought back a very fine series of photographs. Mr. Brook's photos included those of most of the celebrities of old St. Helens, and of the most interesting buildings and spots in the neighbourhood.
It is interesting to recall the fact that one of the sections of the Association in Salisbury-street, the art section, eventually became the St. Helens Sketching Club. Mr. Henry J. Lyon was the hon. secretary of the section and when the Imperial Buildings were built the members of the art section became the first tenants, and held what was probably the first exhibition of pictures in the town. Over 2,000 artists were invited to send in pictures, and there were about 300 exhibits, including works by some of the leading artists in the country. The exhibition attracted a considerable amount of attention, and though it was not a financial success, it was the forerunner of many other successful exhibitions.
Mr. Brook was a Mason, being one of the founders of the Ionic Lodge (2405), of which he was the second Worshipful Master. He was twice married, and leaves two sons, one of which, Mr. Charles Brook, is a sergeant in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and is at present in France.
This clipping is from the Tuesday December 4, 1917 edition of a St. Helen's newspaper.
DEATH OF MR. R. G. BROOK
We regret to announce the death of an old St. Helens tradesman, Mr. R. G. Brook, which occurred late on Saturday night last, at the somewhat advanced age of 84. Mr. Brook had been in indifferent health for the past few years, and for some months almost confined to the home. He was fortunate in having the devoted care of his old servant Kate, now Mrs. F. Lee, during his declining years, and it was at her residence he passed quietly away as stated.
The Late Mr. Brook, who was a native of Clifton, in Yorkshire, was formerly in a large way of business as an ironmonger occupying the premises known as Wolverhampton House, which he built. For a time he was a member of the council, and took a great interest in the affairs of the town. It was while he was on the council that he presented the lamp and fountain which now stands in the Old Market Place. In his earlier days Mr. Brook took a keen interest in literary and scientific matters, and was one of the founders and the first president of the Association for the Pursuit of Science, Literature and Art, which used to meet in one of the large residences in Salisbury-street, and ran for about four years, in the eighties. There were various sections, an art section, a scientific section, a photographic section, etc., each having its own officers and committee. Mr. Brook was an expert photographer and was the controlling spirit of the photographic section. There were many interesting gatherings in the rooms, and a former member says he does not think he ever belonged to an institution in connection with which there were so many interesting and instructive demonstrations and lectures. One of the most prominent of the lectures was that delivered by Mr. Brook on his trip to the Rockies with the British Association, in connection with which he brought back a very fine series of photographs. Mr. Brook's photos included those of most of the celebrities of old St. Helens, and of the most interesting buildings and spots in the neighbourhood.
It is interesting to recall the fact that one of the sections of the Association in Salisbury-street, the art section, eventually became the St. Helens Sketching Club. Mr. Henry J. Lyon was the hon. secretary of the section and when the Imperial Buildings were built the members of the art section became the first tenants, and held what was probably the first exhibition of pictures in the town. Over 2,000 artists were invited to send in pictures, and there were about 300 exhibits, including works by some of the leading artists in the country. The exhibition attracted a considerable amount of attention, and though it was not a financial success, it was the forerunner of many other successful exhibitions.
Mr. Brook was a Mason, being one of the founders of the Ionic Lodge (2405), of which he was the second Worshipful Master. He was twice married, and leaves two sons, one of which, Mr. Charles Brook, is a sergeant in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and is at present in France.
This clipping is from the Tuesday December 4, 1917 edition of a St. Helen's newspaper.
NOTE: My records indicate that R.G. Brook had only one living Son, Charles Herbert Brook, who with his wife Ellen Frodsham had four children: Robert G. Brook (Born 1891), Maria (Marie) L. Brook (Born 1893), Doris M. Brook (Born 1895), and Charles H. Brook (Born 1897). It was Charles Herbert Brook (Born 1897), R.G. Brook's youngest grandson, who was a Sergeant with the Canadian Expeditionary Force stationed in France. I believe this explains the contradiction in the final words of the death article. I see no mention in the above article referring to Daughter Maria (Sister to Charles).
