Captain Gordon Byron Brookes. Awarded The Military Cross for
"conspicuous gallantry in action". Shortly afterwards, killed in action 1916 during The Battle of The Somme.
Formerly an actor who was well known on the Manchester music hall circuit.
Old Hulmeians and the War
Killed in Action
Captain , Gordon Byron Brookes, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who fell on September 16th, aged 37, was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Warwick Brookes, of Oxford Road, Manchester and brother of Mr Warwick Brookes, M P for Mile End. He entered the School in April 1892 and left at midsummer 1896, continuing his education at Brussels. He adopted the stage as a profession, and produced many of his own sketches, touring with his wife. He appeared with success on more than one occasion on the Manchester music halls. Receiving his commission in November 1914, he went out in 1915, and saw hard fighting for over a year. He was recently awarded the Military Cross “for conspicuous gallantry in action. Prior to the advance our trenches were heavily shelled, but he calmly walked along the parapet encouraging his men. After an advance through heavy fire he captured his objective, and consolidated his position”.
Casualty Details
Name: BROOKES
Initials: G B
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Captain
Regiment/Service: Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Unit Text: 9th Bn. attd. 6th Bn.
Date of Death: 16/09/1916
Awards: MC
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 6 B.
Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Record of service.
Notice of his death as it appeared in The Times in 1916
10176 Supplement to the London Gazette 20 October 1916 reads:
Temp.Capt.Gordon Byron Brookes, D. of Corn. L.I.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. Prior to the advance our trenches were heavily shelled, but he calmly walked along the parapet encouraging his men. After an advance through heavy fire he captured his objective, and consolidated his position.
G.B Brookes' home address was 45 Addison Avenue, Notting Hill, London, at the time he was killed in action, just around the corner from his sister Blanche, who was at 61 Holland Park Avenue with her husband Eugen Sandow. Brookes' will was administered by his brother Warwick, company director, and his estate was £100 1s 4d.
G.B Brookes' home address was 45 Addison Avenue, Notting Hill, London, at the time he was killed in action, just around the corner from his sister Blanche, who was at 61 Holland Park Avenue with her husband Eugen Sandow. Brookes' will was administered by his brother Warwick, company director, and his estate was £100 1s 4d.
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