Country: New Zealand
Issued on: Return
Date of presentation: abt. 21/07/1902
Number issued: 1
Gold medal, Suitably inscribed, to:
7th New Zealand Mounted Rifles –
4263 Trooper James Henry BROOKS
Presentation made by Captain Tapp, on behalf of the Renwick Rifle Club, at Shaw's Hotel.
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Marlborough Express, 22nd July 1902
RENWICK NOTES.
One of those reunions which is always a pleasure to report took place at Shaw's Hotel this week. Trooper BROOKS, of the Seventh New Zealand Contingent, the first Renwicktowm young fellow who volunteered for service in Africa, was the guest of the Renwick Defence Rifle Corps. Captain W. Tapp occupied the chair and said that it gave him very great pleasure indeed to preside that evening, inasmuch as they were present to welcome the return from South Africa of the son of a very old and respected personal friend. Trooper BROOKS, he continued, was the stamp of young man who, having made up his mind to fight for the Mother Country, was not rebuked by rejection when he first volunteered, but persisted in his application for enrolment and finally left the land of his birth in the King's uniform with the Seventh Contingent. How his father and mother felt at the loss of their son none of them could properly imagine; and for months and months they must have had daily anxiety anticipating misfortune to their son. But happily no such misfortune occurred, and Trooper BROOKS was once more amongst us safe and well. Capt. Tapp dwelt on the bravery of the Seventh at Bothasberg, and said that such bravery would never be forgotten throughout the world. He heartily welcomed Trooper BROOKS, and asked him to accept a presentation from the members of the Renwick Club. A handsome gold medal, suitably inscribed, was then handed to the recipient, amidst cheers. The contingenter's health was drunk, and Mr Brooks suitably responded on behalf of his son. Trooper BROOKS gave some account of his South African experiences, and toasted "Success to the Renwick Rifle Club". A pleasant meeting then broke up.
EMBARKATION DATABASE
Surname: BROOKS
Reg No: 4263
Given Names: James Henry
Contingent: Seventh
Rank: Private
Unit: No 23 Company (Nelson Section)
Joined from: Blenheim Rifles (Private, 6 months)
County/City: Marlborough
Age: 21 years, 1 month
Occupation: Farmer
Ship: “Gulf of Taranto”, 6 April 1901
Address: Renwick Town, Marlborough
Next of Kin: Brooks, Mr William
Next of Kin Address: Renwick Town, Marlborough (same)
Relationship to Soldier: father
