Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Richard A. Brooks was born at Gravesend, Kent, in 1891 and married in 1917 at Gateshead, Mary I. Friend.
He enlisted at London and was firstly assigned to the 8th Battalion West Riding Regiment as Private 9443 rising through the ranks to Acting Serjeant then Serjeant. He was transferred to the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers as Serjeant 65103 and finally to the 1st Battalion. His military record no longer exists, given his age and transferals he probably enlisted in 1914 and arrived during 1916 on the Western Front. In 1916 they took part in The Actions of the Bluff and St Eloi Craters then moved to The Somme for the Battle of Albert, the Battle of Bazentin helping to capture Longueval, the Battle of Delville Wood and the Battle of the Ancre. In 1917 they were at Arras, seeing action at the Battles of the Scarpe and the Battle of Arleux. Moved north to Flanders they saw action during the Battle of the Menin Road and Battle of Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres. They moved south and were in action at The Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 they were again on the Somme during the Battles of the Lys.
Serjeant 65103 Richard A. Brooks was killed in action June 1st 1918 and interred at Pernes British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, grave II. E. 31. He was 27 years old.
His widow received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-15 Star had he served overseas during that period. Mary I. Brooks (transcribed in error as Mary I. Brocks) remarried during the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1919 to John L. H. Earle at Tynemouth. There do not appear to have been children from either marriage.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Richard A. Brooks is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
