William James Brooks

Story:
William James Brooks was born in Iwerne Minster, Dorset, on 30 May 1882 and baptised there on 6th August 1882, the son of Thomas Brooks and Elizabeth Brooks (nee Wareham).  He lived most of his life in Iwerne Minster.  He married Elizabeth Mary Newcombe on 10th Dec 1904 at Fulham Registry Office, Fulham, London, SW, and they went on to have two children.   William enlisted on 6th December 1915 and was mobilized on 1st June 1916 when he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery as a Gunner (Service No. 91270).  He was posted to France on 16 Nov 1916 and joined the 154th (Hampshire) Heavy Battery with a new Service No. 353926.  He was demobilized on 8th September 1919 and awarded the Victory and British War medals.   The 1921 Census shows him living in Tower Hill, Iwerne Minster, working as a Bricklayer's Labourer on the Ismay Estate. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Church Hill, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, with the same occupation.  His death was noted in the Poole, Dorset, Registration District in 1963.