TOPIC:

I am looking for help in establishing the full name of Lieutenant / Captain W.E. Brooks or any other information about him.

His QSA medal with the two clasps Cape Colony and South Africa 1901 are confirmed and it is believed that he was the same person who also received a South Africa General Service medal with clasp 1878 as the Quarter Master or Quartermaster Sergeant of the Diamond Field’s Horse.

A rather nice pair of medals but unfortunately, I have drawn an absolute bland in endeavouring to find out anything about him. Even his name eludes me although William Edward Brooks would be a good guess.

RobM

Hello Rob,

Your guess is correct, William Edward Brooks is his name.

I might have a few scans for you pertaining to his Diamond's Field horse service. Will look when back home.

Cheers

Hello Rob,

This is all I have sadly. A grainy photo which shows Brooks

Hello Rob
I found a medal roll for a William Edwin Brooks
Regimental number 746 Diamond Field Horse . No rank mentioned on roll.
1878 Griquas was marked as yes in the whether engaged against column.

Also this electoral roll info. Not sure if this helps? Could be a different chap altogether.
Name: William Edwin Brooks
Record Year: 1882
Residence Place: South Africa
Address 2: Griqua Town
Record Source: Voters List 1882
Repository: Cape Town National Archives
Electoral Division: Barkly West
Cornetcy: Field Cornetcy No. 1 - Griqua Town

My sincere thanks to Adrian and Dave.

Adrian.

I seem to recall seeing your photograph somewhere before but I don’t have a copy so thank you very much indeed. Is your photo from the Cape Archives? It is interesting to see that the Adjutant, Lt J. Birkbeck, is included in the photograph. He was born in 1872 and was the son John Birkbeck of Bankwell in Skipton. After serving as Adjutant with Orpen’s (Light) Horse he was promoted Major and commanded the Border Scouts and is well known as the individual who introduced the Border Scouts “cloth” emergency issue bank notes in Upington.

Dave.
Brooks’s SAGS medal has the 1878 clasp and is officially engraved in the usual style “Qr. Mr. W.E. Brooks, Diamond Field Horse”. (I presume the wording “Sergeant” has been unintentionally omitted) I have searched through the rolls of the SAGS for his entry details without success even though both Forsyth and Dutton record him as a Quarter Master Sergeant in their published rolls. So thank you for your details. Much appreciated. It would be great to be able to get an actual copy of your roll info. The name Edwin has been a great help and seems to tie in with what my research was suggesting.

When, or rather if, I am able to unravel his story I will post a write-up and photograph. I guess that he was William Edwin Brooks who was born in England in 1846/47.

RobM

Hi Rob
Roll info as requested. Do you have medal rolls for his Orpen's (Light) Horse QSA?



best regards
Dave