Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Brooks a coal miner, born 1855 in Coleorton, Leics., and his wife Jane, born 1857 in Thringstone, Leics. John William was born in 1892 in Ellistown, Leics., his siblings were Thomas, born 1882, Annie, born 1884, Arthur, born 1885 and Walter, born 1886, all his siblings were born in Ellistown, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Ibstock Road, Hugglescote, Leics. In April 1911 John was employed as a grocery shop assistant and was residing in the family home at White Hill Road, Ellistown, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Arthur and Walter.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
The following information was kindly shared with the project by F Tilley in 2016:

"4865 Private John William BROOKS
Royal Warwickshire Regiment 2nd/ 6th Battalion

John William Brooks was born in 1892 in Ellistown, Leicestershire. John was the son of John and Jane Brooks, of "Dovedale", Highfields, Coalville, Leicester. John’s residence was in Hugglescote at the date of his enlistment.

Military Service:

John Brooks enlisted with the Army in Birmingham.

John died of wounds received action on the 19th July 1916 at the age of 24. His Mother Jane was to receive his effects.

He is commemorated at the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais (62), France. Reference Panel 22 to 25. He is also remembered at Bardon Hill Chapel, Bardon, Leicestershire,"

Coalville Times article - Friday August 18th, 1916

HUGGLESCOTE SOLDIER KILLED

FIRST CO-OPERATIVE EMPLOYEE

The Coalville Co-Operative Society, to date, has 48 employees serving with the Forces, and the first to make the supreme sacrifice is Private J. W. Brooks, of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was about 25 years of age, and before the war was engaged as assistant at the Bagworth branch stores. He was a son of Mr John Brooks, of Forest Road, Hugglescote, and a brother of Mr Thomas Brooks, another of the Society’s employees, who resides at Highfields, Coalville.

Information was received that deceased was wounded on July 19th, this being mentioned in a letter from a soldier friend, and in response to enquiries, Mr T. Brooks on Monday morning, received the following letter from a chaplain.

“In answer to your enquiry, J. W. Brooks, 4865, of the D. Co., Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was the first man probably who put his name in my book at Jalalabad Barracks, England. I now regret to say that he has been killed in action on July 12th, 1916. He was one of few men, whose bodies have been recovered from No Man’s Land, and buried behind the first line trenches. I know where he lies, and took much trouble to have the grave marked by a cross, and registered at headquarters, Graves Registration Commission. They will keep his reference. We read a service over his grave. We had to kneel down at the time to be out of the way of snipers. I wish I could tell you more of him, poor fellow, but it seems part of the cross in three days not to know more details of those we love. However, we may be well assured they die like heroes, and their self-sacrifice for the sake of duty will be accepted. Please accept my warmest sympathy, and may God comfort, strengthen, and refresh you in this trouble.”

Deceased was one of Mr Fellows’ old boys of the Baptist Day School, and was also a prominent member of the Baptist Church, at Hugglescote. He acted as assistant organist and used to help train the children in the singing for the school anniversary. He was also a popular member of the pastor’s young men’s Bible Class.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 8th, 1916

MEMORIAL SERVICES AT COALVILLE AND HUGGLESCOTE

FOR LOCAL MEN WHO HAVE FALLEN

Impressive memorial services were held at Coalville and Hugglescote on Sunday evening, for local men who have nobly died fighting for their country.

The Hugglescote service was in the Baptist Church and was for Private J. W. Brooks, of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who recently died of wounds in action. There was a large congregation, which included most of the members of the committee and several of the employees of the Coalville Co-Operative Society, the deceased, prior to the war, having been an assistant at the Bagworth branch. He was assistant organist at the church, a member of the Pastor’s Young Men’s Bible Class and an active church worker in various ways, like his parents have been for a good number of years.

The service was conducted by the Rev. C. Barker (pastor), who preached an eloquent sermon on the value of religion. Suitable hymns were sung, and the choir rendered the anthem, “Come unto Me” while at the close, the organist (Mr E. W. Guy) played the Dead March.

Coalville Times article - Friday January 24th, 1919

COALVILLE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

EMPLOYEE’S ROLL OF HONOUR

The 140th quarterly meeting of the Coalville Workingmen’s Co-Operative Society was held in the Adult School Hall on Saturday evening, Mr C. W. Brown, jnr. presiding over a good attendance.

The chairman said it was the first time since he had been chairman that he had been able to wish the members a happy new year, except with bated breath. They were glad that peace was at hand. The war had made many homes sad and they all hoped that at the peace conference now sitting some method would be arrived at in dealing with disputes between nations which would prevent anything of the kind happen again (hear, hear).

A letter was read from Mr W. Stacey, thanking the members for their vote of sympathy with him on the death of his son.

The chairman said that it had been remarked that the Society had made many appeals to the local Tribunal, but it was not generally known that 85 of their employees had joined the Forces. He regretted to say that ten had made the supreme sacrifice, their names being:

J. Horrocks (boot department), E. Stinchcombe, W. Mace (stables), J. Brooks (Bagworth grocery), V. Hancox, W. Tyers (Ellistown grocery), D. Drinkwater (Central bakery), W. Collier (Hugglescote grocery), R. Brooks (butchery), and T. Wild (tailoring).

Coalville Times article - Friday July 18th, 1919


COALVILLE SOLDIERS WELCOMED

The employees of the Coalville Co-Operative Society organised a garden party on Wednesday as a welcome home to their fellow employees who have been serving in the Forces. A company of about 250 were taken by motor ‘bus to the Barrow Hill Farm, Osgathorpe, recently purchased by the Society, and there had tea and games, a pleasant time being spent. The Coalville Coronation Band was present. Of the 83 employees who served in the Forces, 7 were killed. The number recently returned and who were welcomed on Wednesday, was 42. Mr W. Scaysbrook (chairman) read the following to the assembly:

“Coalville Workingmen’s Co-Operative Society. – The primary object of our gathering to-day is to afford the opportunity of welcoming back to our midst those of our fellow employees and comrades who, responding to the call of duty, have endured danger and hardships in order that civilisation might be protected from the ravages of a ruthless foe, and in order that life for all nations shall be more worth living. The Society, with which we are associated, has made its contribution to the common cause, no less than 83 of its employees having joined the military, naval and air forces. To all who have been spared to return, we to-day give a whole-hearted “welcome home,” and at the same time express our deep appreciation of the services they have rendered, and our gratitude for having taken their part in protecting our hearths and homes. To all those who are still in service, we wish a speedy return to the more peaceful pursuits of our movement, so that they, with us, may help forward the day of the Co-Operative commonwealth. At a time like this we cannot forget, and we would not if we could, those of our number who have made the supreme sacrifice of their lives, and once again offer our deepest sympathy with all those who, through the tragedy of war, have lost those who were dear to them. Their names are:

J. W. Brooks, W. Brooks, W. Mace, T. Wild, R. Stinchcombe, W. Collier, R. Brooks, W. Tyers, V. Hancock, J. Horrocks and D. Drinkwater.

In conclusion we venture to express the earnest hope that never again shall you be called upon to leave your homes to engage in warfare, but trust that your future may be peaceful and prosperous, and worthy the sacrifices that have been made. – July 16th, 1919.”

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Coalville Time article - Friday May 21st, 1920

HUGGLESCOTE BAPTIST WAR MEMORIAL

UNVEILING OF A COMMUNION TABLE

The memory of young men from the Hugglescote Baptist Church and Sunday School, who fell in the war is to be perpetuated by a handsome oak communion table, with an inlaid brass plate, containing fourteen names, and a suitable inscription, and at a special service last Sunday afternoon the table was unveiled.

The ceremony was performed by the Rev. C. Barker (pastor) in the presence of a large congregation. The inscription and names on the table are as follows:

“In memory of those who gave their lives for freedom in the great war, 1914 – 1918”

James Cox, John W. Williamson, Frederick Chamberlain, Charles Drewett, John W. Brooks, J. W. T. Collier, John W. Barrs, T. Percy Deacon, George Barrs, Charles H. Shilton, George Wood, H. B. Drewett, Leslie Cross and Fred Whitmore.

The hymns sung during the service were “O God our help,” “Now the labourer’s task is o’er,” and “For all the saints.” Prior to the unveiling, the Rev. C. Barker read appropriate passages of scripture, and gave an address dealing with what had been accomplished in the war, and the debt they owed to the men who accomplished it. Ex-Captain J. Emmerson also gave a short address, speaking of his connection with the boys.

The Rev. C. Barker also read a letter from Captain Jamie, in which he wrote, “I very much appreciate the honour you have done me in suggesting that I should assist in the unveiling of your war memorial, and were it at all possible for me to get over to Coalville on that day I should have been proud to do so. However, I am afraid that is impossible. I very much regret this, as I was closely associated with many of your Hugglescote men during the war, and would gladly have taken such an opportunity of paying homage to the memory of those whose names are on the roll of honour.”

At the close of the service, the congregation sang “God bless our native land.” On Sunday evening, the Rev. C. Barker preached a memorial sermon, based on the text, “They being dead, yet speak.” Hebrews 11 – 4.

The collections realised over £10 towards the cost of the table, over £70, the whole of which has now been raised.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 15/10/2017