Friends of Hastings Cemetery

KA F20

In ever loving memory of our dear Willie, the beloved son of
George and Miriam Brooks,
who passed peacefully away
June 11th 1906 aged 18 years. 

Erected by his Parents, Sisters and Brothers.

He fought the good fight. 

William Alfred Brooks was born in Hastings in the first quarter of 1888
The Brooks family in 1891, living at 45 St Georges Road

Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 16 June 1906
YOUTH’S DEATH.—An inquest was held by Mr. W. J. Glenister (deputy borough coroner) at the Market Hall on Tuesday evening concerning the death of William Alfred Brooks, of 15, St. George’s-road.

Marian Brooks, said she was the wife of George Brooks, employee of the Telephone Company.  Deceased was her son, and was eighteen years of age.  About nine months ago he informed her that he had been doing gymnastics with some boxes in the greengrocer’s shop where he was employed, and the boxes had fallen and hurt his head.  He continued to go about his work as usual, complained of feeling ill about a month ago.

Early in the morning of May 28th, her other son, who slept with deceased, called her up to come and look at him.  She found him unconscious and groaning in bed.  Mr. H. K. Mansell was sent for, but he was out, and a telephone message was sent to Mr. Peck who attended deceased up to Sunday, and then Mr. Mansell, returning from his holiday, saw him.

Her son died on Monday afternoon. He had several fits on May 28th.  He had been in very good health up to that time.

William Edward Peck, surgeon, of Mornington Mansions, said he was in locum tenens for Mr. H. H. Mansell, and was called to the deceased on the morning of May 28th. found him unconscious in bed, and stayed with him about half-an-hour.  He called again about six o’clock the same morning, and then found him conscious.  He attended him frequently up to Sunday. He thought he was dangerously ill.  He was not told about the accident with the boxes and saw no signs of injury to the head. He did not anticipate that the deceased would die so soon, but thought it probable that the illness would terminate fatally.

The result of the post mortem showed that the body was rather emaciated, and there were the remains of blood in the mouth and nose; the brain was perfectly normal. The cause of death was haemorrhage due to a general septic condition of the system.  He did not think death was in any way attributable to the accident with the boxes.  The Jury returned a verdict of Death from natural causes.

 

The funeral takes place to-day (Saturday) at Christ Church, Blacklands, where the deceased was for some time a member of the choir.  He also belonged to the Blackland branch of the Church Lads Brigade, by a detachment of whom the coffin will be borne to the grave to-day.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 23 June 1906

LADS’ BRIGADE FUNERAL.
IMPRESSIVE SERVICE BLACKLANDS.
DECEASED SERGEANT HONOURED

A Church Lads’ Brigade funeral was accorded to the late William Alfred Brooks at Blacklands Church on Saturday. The deceased, the sad circumstances of whose death were recorded in our issue last week, was only 18 years age.  He was for five years a member of Blacklands Choir, and a sergeant in the Church Lads’ Brigade, and he was said to be one of the best boys they had in connection with the church.

There was a large attendance at the service at 1.30 on Saturday, many children being present. The Rev. E. Lockyer (late Rector Rodborough, Gloucestershire), who conducted the service, met the procession at the door of the church.  The coffin, which was covered with lovely wreaths, and bore on the top the Brigade cap, haversack, and belt, and the sergeant’s badge of the deceased, was carried by six of his comrades in uniform—Sergeants A. Morris and Razzelle, Corporals Jardine and Pennells, and Lance-Corporals Tindall and T. Morris.  Sergeant Blissett was in command the detachment.

Afterwards came the mourners, and the end was brought up by the members of the Blacklands Company, about 30 in number, and a detachment from St. Matthew's.  Capt. F. W. Maggs was at the organ, and other officers present were Lieuts. F. Jeffery and C. Ponder, and Staff-Sergeant Hards.  The choir, of which deceased was member, was fully represented.  The service was short, but very solemn.  The hymns sung were the beautiful “Peace, perfect peace,” “Fight the good fight,” and “Now the labourer’s task is o’er’ and the Psalm was No. 39. the closing Blessing was impressively delivered, and the procession left the church to the strains of the “Nunc Dimittis.”

The rest of the service at the Cemetery was read by the Rev. H. J. Sanders, in the presence the mourners, the Brigade boys, and several sympathisers………..

There were over 20 wreaths, crosses and baskets of flowers.