In Honour of my Grandfather on Remembrance Day.

From the writer's own collection

This post is about my grandfather William Thomas "Bill" Brooks.

My grandfather was born on January 25th 1895 on the family farm in Scarborough. When England (and Canada) declared war on Germany on August 4th 1914 Bill was 19 years old. He had just graduated from the Central Business College in Toronto having learned business skills and was beginning his career as a stenographer. 

On March 7th 1916 Bill enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. We don't know why he chose to enlist at that time. It could be that his friends had joined up. Or the recruitment drive for new soldiers caught his attention. Or having just turned 21 perhaps he felt it was time to step up. We'll never know. My grandfather wasn't a talkative man to begin with but like many veterans of the Great War he didn't talk about his experiences.

Bill sailed from Halifax on September 27th 1916 and landed in Liverpool on October 6th 2016. He was assigned to the Canadian Army Service Corps in Shorncliffe. Bill was fortunate to have stenographer skills as this provided him the opportunity to serve in England for most of the war and avoid service in the trenches. This likely saved his life. He sent this postcard home to his mother during this period-

From the writer's collection

At some point in time he had the above picture taken and sent home as well. I don't know who his colleague was unfortunately.

Bill kept a few items from his war service. He was issued a full kit of supplies including this shaving mirror. It's in amazingly good condition given its age and the conditions it experienced in France

On October 15th 1918 he headed for Europe. Fortunately the war was almost over at that point. He spent the rest of his service in France and England, ending the War as a Corporal. He sent this Christmas Card home to his mother, likely in 1918.

From the writer's collection

On June 2nd 1919 Bill sailed home to Canada. As a Scarborough native he was presented with this certificate honouring his service.

From the writer's collection

Bill settled in East York after the war. He returned to office work for a while but ended up working for the East York Fire Department, retiring as a Captain. In his final years he resided in the K wing of Sunnybrook Hospital with other veterans. 

In October 1914 I presented some of my grandfather's documents and photos to the City of Toronto Great War Attic. My story is in the Canadian Encyclopedia: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/map/?story=166 

From the writer's collection