Frank Brooker


Jun 2, 1883

Born in Kingston on Thames, England

 

Jun 13, 1913

Embarked the Empress of Ireland in Liverpool

 

 

Jun 20, 1913

Disembarked in Quebec City, Quebec and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario.  Some time after his arrival in Kingston, he proceeded to Metcalfe, Ontario for employment

 

Nov 4, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Number 59097 (temporary number 966)

Ø  Next of kin given as Mary Brooker, mother, 22 South Lane, Kingston on Thames, England

Ø  Previous occupation given as Soldier

o   Later noted as Book Binder

Ø  Previous military experience given as 12 years in Royal Marines Light Infantry

Ø  Religion given as Church of England

Ø  Posted to “E” Company

o   This was later reorganized into “C” Company

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

Within days of attesting he was appointed to the provisional rank of Corporal and posted to the Machine Gun Section

 

Feb 3, 1915

Reported to be absent

 

Feb 5, 1915

Reported for duty and forfeited 4 days pay and restricted to half pay for 2 months for his absence

 

Mar 25, 1915

Forfeited 1 day’s pay for an unspecified offence

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Jun 8, 1915

From the war diary of the 2nd Division Assistant Provost Marshal’s War Diary

Ø  Matter of Pte. Brooker, 21st Battalion, found by Sergt. Lunniss in a private house, Hythe, with Mrs. Thornton, wife of Pte. Thornton of the 21st Battalion, investigated and referred to the OC 4th Infantry Brigade, for action.

 

Jun 29, 1915

Sentenced to 28 days detention for misconduct

 

Jul 26, 1915

Posted to the Depot Company

 

Jul 31, 1915

Reported to be absent

 

Aug 3, 1915

Reported for duty and forfeited 4 days pay and restricted to half pay for 2 months

 

Aug 14, 1915

Reported to be absent

 

Aug 15, 1915

Reported for duty and was sentenced to 14 days detention, forfeited 2 days pay and restricted to half pay for 1 month for leaving the barracks while a defaulter

 

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

 

 

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

 

Nov 17, 1915

Sentenced to 10 days Field Punishment #2 for disobeying a command

 

Dec 26, 1915

Transferred to the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade Machine Gun Company

Promoted to the rank of Corporal

 

Apr 6, 1916

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request

 

Oct 6, 1916

Private Brooker received shrapnel wounds to his neck and legs and was evacuated for first aid and treatment before being invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship St Andrew

 

On arrival in England he was admitted to the Northumberland War Hospital in Gosforth, Newcastle

Transferred to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Nov 28, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Dec 5, 1916

Admitted to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Epsom with a diagnosis that reads partial Ankylosis of metacarpophalangeal joints in both feet.  Patient claims to have suffered from frost bite while in the trenches and his feet have been sore ever since

 

Dec 12, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Feb 13, 1917

Discharged from hospital and reported to the CCAC in Hastings

 

Feb 14, 1917

Attached to the GDD (Garrison Duty Depot) Hastings

 

Feb 17, 1917

Attached to the CFCCD (Canadian Field Comforts Committee Depot) Shorncliffe for duty

 

Mar 10, 1917

Transferred to the Machine Gun Regimental Depot and attached to the Moore Barracks Hospital for duty

 

Jul 21, 1917

Ceased to be attached to Moore Barracks Hospital and rejoined the Comfort Corps Depot

 

Jul 27, 1917

Posted to “R” Wing in Seaford

 

Aug 31, 1917

Transferred to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada

 

Sep 13, 1917

Embarked the SS Justicia in Liverpool

 

 

Sep 25, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to Kingston, Ontario

Attached to the AAG (Assistant Adjutant General) for duty in Military District No. 1, London

 

Oct 12, 1917

Taken On Strength No. 3 Special Service Company in Kingston

 

Feb 25, 1918

Transferred to the No. 3 AMCTD (Army Medical Corps Training Depot) Kingston

 

Mar 1, 1918

Transferred to the Queen’s Field Ambulance for duty in Kingston

 

Apr 22, 1918

Medical Board in Kingston notes

Ø  Joints of both big toes are swollen and painful caused from previous case of frost bite

Ø  Walks on the outside of his feet to reduce pain

Ø  Pain is more severe in the mornings

Ø  Board recommends category “E” and that he be discharged from military service

 

May 3, 1918

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario

Ø  Rank on discharge Private

Ø  War Service Badge Class “A” issued

Ø  Proposed residence on discharge Winchester, Ontario

Following the end of the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him c/o Mrs. Burke, Port McNicoll, Ontario

 

Feb 21, 1921

Address changed to read c/o Mr. D. Dick, RR #2 Omemee, Ontario

 

Sep 30, 1929

Frank Brooker died of Acute Broncho Pneumonia while a patient in the Kingston General Hospital and was buried in the Cataraqui Cemetery Soldier’s Section, Kingston, Ontario

 

 



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