Lance Sergeant Charles Henri Brooks

Survivor of WW2

Date of Death:

Biography General Ranks Awards Chronology Print

Service Biography

Charles Brooks was born at Huntingdon, Quebec, on 17 September 1918. He completed Grade 6 and spoke English and French. In 1940 his occupation was recorded as cable maker; by his active-service enlistment his trade was recorded as carpenter. Before the war he worked for Progress Spring Bed Company in Montreal from about 1936 to 1941, with personnel-selection material describing his principal work there as upholsterer/mattress helper. He also had experience as a painter's helper. His military connection began before active enlistment. In October 1940 he undertook 30 days of training at Training Centre No. 41. In July 1941 he transferred from Le Régiment de Châteauguay (Reserve Force) into NRMA service at Training Centre No. 47, Valleyfield, and later transferred to the RCA at Petawawa. He enlisted for active service on 30 September 1941. He served overseas with the Royal Canadian Artillery, principally 4th Medium Regiment, and rose from gunner through bombardier and acting sergeant to lance-sergeant. He landed in France on 9 July 1944 and was slightly wounded in action on 27 July by shell wounds to his right thigh and back. The wounds healed and he returned to duty. His wartime service was recognized with the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp, War Medal 1939-45, and a Mention in Dispatches. He returned to Canada in November 1945 and was discharged on demobilization on 7 January 1946. Progress Spring Bed Company had promised him work after discharge.

General Information

Conflict:

WW2

Regimental No.:

D-118765

Cause of Death (in war):

Survived

Branch:

Army

Regiment:

Royal Canadian Artillery

Battalion:

4th Medium Regiment RCA

Company:

Date of Birth :

Place of Birth:

Huntingdon, Quebec

Date of Enlistment:

Age at Enlistment:

23 years

Date of Discharge:

Age at Discharge:

27 years 3 months

Date of Death:

Age at Death:

55 years 5 months

Country Born:

Canada

Trade or Calling:

Carpenter

Next of Kin:

Henry Brooks, father, 2386 Moreau Street, Montreal, Quebec

Address at Enlistment:

2386 Moreau Street, Montreal, Quebec

Religion:

Roman Catholic

Place of Enlistment:

Petawawa, Ontario

Was a Prisoner of War:

Height:

5 ft 8.0 in / 173 cm

Weight:

172 lbs / 78 kg

Chest:

38.3 in / 97 cm

Expansion:

1.5 in / 4 cm

Marital Status:

Single

Prior Military Experience:

Yes

Saw Service in:

Europe

Place of Discharge:

Montreal South, Quebec

Discharge Type:

Regular/End of Service

Discharge Notes:

Battle Died/Wounded:

WIA

Length of Service:

1560 days in service

Buried at:

Saint Joseph (Huntingdon) Catholic Cemetery

Ranks

Conflict	Rank	Regiment	Branch	Unit
WW2	Lance Sergeant	Royal Canadian Artillery	Army	4th Medium Regiment RCA
WW2	Acting Sergeant	Royal Canadian Artillery	Army	4th Medium Regiment RCA
WW2	Bombardier	Royal Canadian Artillery	Army	4th Medium Regiment RCA
WW2	Acting Bombardier	Royal Canadian Artillery	Army	4th Medium Regiment RCA
WW2	Acting Lance Bombardier	Royal Canadian Artillery	Army	4th Medium Regiment RCA
WW2	Gunner	Royal Canadian Artillery	Army	4th Medium Regiment RCA
WW2	Gunner	Royal Canadian Artillery	Army	2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit
WW2	Gunner	Royal Canadian Artillery	Army	Canadian Artillery Training Centre A-1, Petawawa
WW2	Private	Canadian Army (NRMA)	Army	NRMA

Awards

Conflict	Award	Source
WW2	Mention in Dispatches	GO 104, 9 Mar 1946; file pp.5-6
WW2	1939-1945 Star
WW2	France and Germany Star
WW2	Defence Medal
WW2	Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp
WW2	War Medal 1939-1945

Service Chronology

1918-09-17 — Born at Huntingdon, Quebec.
1940-10-09 — Began compulsory training at Training Centre No. 41 under the National Resour...
1940-11-08 — Completed the 30-day compulsory training period at Training Centre No. 41.
1941-07-31 — Transferred from Le Régiment de Châteauguay (Reserve Force) to NRMA service a. Place / Unit: Training Centre No. 47, Valleyfield, Quebec.
1941-09-26 — Struck off strength Training Centre No. 47, Valleyfield, Quebec, on transfer ...
1941-09-29 — Completed NRMA service in Canada.
1941-09-30 — Enlisted for active service at Petawawa, Ontario, and joined Canadian Artille. Place / Unit: Canadian Artillery Training Centre A-1, Petawawa, Ontario.
1941-11-21 — Executed an active-service will while serving in the Canadian Army.
1941-12-12 — Embarked at Halifax, Nova Scotia, for overseas service.
1941-12-13 — Transferred to Canadian Army Overseas.
1941-12-23 — Disembarked at Gourock, Scotland.
1941-12-24 — Taken on strength 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit in the United Kingdom. Place / Unit: 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit, United Kingdom.
1942-02-03 to 1942-02-10 — Granted seven days' privilege leave with free travel warrant while serving wi. Place / Unit: 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit, United Kingdom.
1942-04-02 — Began fitter-gun course No. 1080 while serving with 2 Canadian Artillery Hold. Place / Unit: 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit, United Kingdom.
1942-07-27 — Returned from fitter-gun course No. 1080 after completing the course while se. Place / Unit: 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit, United Kingdom.
1942-08-11 — Attached to Military College of Science while serving with 2 Canadian Artille. Place / Unit: Military College of Science, United Kingdom.
1942-09-21 — Passed the Class III test for Artificer RCA (Field) at the Military College o. Place / Unit: Military College of Science (Stoke), United Kingdom.
1942-09-22 — Ceased attachment to Military College of Science and returned to 2 Canadian A. Place / Unit: 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit, United Kingdom.
1942-11-18 — Failed trade test as fitter gun while serving with 2 Canadian Artillery Holdi. Place / Unit: 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit, United Kingdom.
1943-01-09 — Began seven days' privilege leave while serving with 2 Canadian Artillery Hol. Place / Unit: 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit, United Kingdom.
1943-01-21 — Struck off strength 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit for 4th Medium Regiment. Place / Unit: 2 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit, United Kingdom.
1943-01-22 — Taken on strength 4th Medium Regiment RCA in the United Kingdom. Place / Unit: 4th Medium Regiment RCA, United Kingdom.
1943-03-30 — Certificate of Trade Proficiency issued confirming his Class III qualificatio. Place / Unit: Military College of Science (Stoke), United Kingdom.
1943-08-14 — Temporarily attached to 8 Army Training Group for pay while serving with 4th . Place / Unit: 8 Army Training Group, United Kingdom.
1943-09-30 — Awarded Good Conduct Badge while serving with 4th Medium Regiment RCA, United. Place / Unit: 4th Medium Regiment RCA, United Kingdom.
1943-12-01 — Appointed Acting Lance Bombardier with 4th Medium Regiment RCA, United Kingdom.
1944-01-20 — Appointed Acting Bombardier with 4th Medium Regiment RCA, United Kingdom.
1944-04-02 — Promoted Bombardier with 4th Medium Regiment RCA.
1944-07-06 — Embarked from the United Kingdom with 4th Medium Regiment RCA for North-West . Place / Unit: 4th Medium Regiment RCA, United Kingdom.
1944-07-09 — Disembarked in France with 4th Medium Regiment RCA. Place / Unit: 4th Medium Regiment RCA, France.
1944-07-27 — Slightly wounded in action in France while serving as Bombardier with 4th Med. Place / Unit: 4th Medium Regiment RCA, France.
1944-08-07 — Transferred to the X-3 List during treatment following his wound.
1944-08-21 — His father Henry Brooks wrote the Department of National Defence from 2386 Mo. Place / Unit: 2386 Moreau Street, Montreal, Quebec.
1944-08-29 — The Department of National Defence advised Henry Brooks at 2386 Moreau Street. Place / Unit: 2386 Moreau Street, Montreal, Quebec.
1944-09-06 — Struck off the X-4 List to return to 4th Medium Regiment RCA after recovery f...
1944-09-07 — Taken back on strength 4th Medium Regiment RCA in North-West Europe. Place / Unit: 4th Medium Regiment RCA, North-West Europe.
1944-12-04 — Appointed Acting Sergeant with 4th Medium Regiment RCA.
1945-02-17 — Embarked from the Allied Expeditionary Force for the United Kingdom.
1945-02-18 — Disembarked in the United Kingdom and was recorded as Lance Sergeant.
1945-02-18 — Taken on strength No. 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot from the X-8 List in the . Place / Unit: No. 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot, United Kingdom.
1945-02-21 — Struck off strength No. 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot to No. 2 Canadian Artil. Place / Unit: No. 1 Canadian Repatriation Depot, United Kingdom.
1945-02-22 — Taken on strength No. 2 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit in the United K. Place / Unit: No. 2 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit, United Kingdom.
1945-02-24 to 1945-03-08 — Granted leave in the United Kingdom while attached to No. 2 Canadian Artiller. Place / Unit: No. 2 Canadian Artillery Reinforcement Unit, United Kingdom.
1945-03-10 — Embarked from the United Kingdom to return to the Allied Expeditionary Force.
1945-03-27 — Rejoined 4th Medium Regiment RCA in North-West Europe after return from the U. Place / Unit: 4th Medium Regiment RCA, North-West Europe.
1945-09-15 to 1945-09-22 — Granted seven days' leave while serving overseas with 4th Medium Regiment RCA.
1945-10-03 to 1945-10-15 — Granted leave while serving overseas with 4th Medium Regiment RCA.
1945-10-10 — Attached to 5 Canadian Repatriation Depot while awaiting repatriation to Canada.
1945-10-31 — Elected to receive $200 of his basic war-service gratuity as Ninth Victory Lo. Place / Unit: 2386 Moreau Street, Montreal, Quebec.
1945-11-02 to 1945-11-09 — Granted seven days' leave while serving overseas with 4th Medium Regiment RCA.
1945-11-14 — Struck off strength Canadian Army Overseas and transferred to 5 Canadian Repa. Place / Unit: 5 Canadian Repatriation Depot.
1945-11-15 — Returned to Canada after overseas service.
1945-11-20 to 1946-01-03 — Granted leave and rations allowance before discharge. Place / Unit: Canada.
1945-11-23 — Taken on strength No. 4 District Depot after return from Canadian Army Overseas.
1945-11-29 — Medical board at Montreal South, Quebec, found no disabling condition; shell-...
1946-01-04 — Rehabilitation counselling at Montreal South, Quebec, recorded that he intend...
1946-01-07 — Discharged at Montreal South, Quebec, on demobilization; discharge documents ...
1946-01-17 — The Army returned his 21 November 1941 active-service will to him at 2386 Mor. Place / Unit: 2386 Moreau Street, Montreal, Quebec.
1946-03-09 — Mention in Dispatches awarded for distinguished service.
1948-06-25 — War Service Records wrote to Charles Brooks at 2386 Moreau Street, Montreal, . Place / Unit: 2386 Moreau Street, Montreal, Quebec.

Notes

Additional Service Notes

Charles Brooks first completed 30 days of compulsory training in October-November 1940 at Training Centre No. 41. In 1941 he transferred from Le Régiment de Châteauguay (Reserve Force) to NRMA service at Training Centre No. 47, Valleyfield, before transferring to the RCA at Petawawa and enlisting for active service on 30 September 1941. He went overseas in December 1941, completed fitter-gun training and qualified Artificer RCA (Field) Class III. With 4th Medium Regiment RCA he advanced through Bombardier, Acting Sergeant and Lance Sergeant. The final War Service Gratuity statement explicitly records his final rank as L/Sgt, while discharge documents use the form 'Corporal (L/Sergeant)'. Under the CWVMP default-rank convention, Lance Sergeant remains the default because it is the last rank held with his substantive non-discharge service. He landed in France on 9 July 1944, was slightly wounded by shell fragments to the right thigh and back on 27 July, recovered and returned to his unit. He returned to Canada in November 1945 and was discharged on demobilization at Montreal South on 7 January 1946.

Additional Next of Kin Notes

Henry Brooks, Charles's father, was next of kin. The 1940 enrolment form places Henry at Huntingdon, Quebec; by July 1941 Henry and Charles's mother Mary Brooks were at 2386 Moreau Street, Montreal. Henry was an engineer. After receiving notice that Charles had been slightly wounded in July 1944, Henry wrote the Department of National Defence on 21 August asking for further information because the family had received no additional news. The Army replied on 29 August that no report indicated Charles was dangerously or seriously ill and that a normal recovery could reasonably be assumed while further information was sought. Personnel-selection material records six brothers and two sisters and places Charles second in the family; Charles was unmarried and had no dependants.

Version: 3 Last modified: 2026-09-29 02:05:04 by: marc