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Pte. Joseph Ernest BROOKS King's Royal Rifle Corps, 10th Battalion
1897 - 17th April 1917

Born Folkestone, Kent in 1897, Joseph joined his father, Alfred, in their self-employed
basket making business from their family in Suffolk Road, Foots Cray. He enlisted at
Bexleyheath and was assigned to the King's Royal Rifle Corps. Joseph's Regiment took
part in the Battle of Langemarck; the Battle of Menin Road Ridge and the Battle of Polygen
Wood. Sadly, he was seriously injured whilst being involved in an attack on a village, and
was taken to Casualty Station No. 5 but there was nothing they could do to save him and he
died almost two weeks later. In 1919, Joseph's father was awarded a War gratuity of
£7.16s.9d.

In Memoriam; Buried at Bray Military Cemetery, Somme, France

Private John Alfred BROWNING Royal Tank Corps 'A' Battalion
1897 - 20th November 1917

John was the only son of woodworking machinist William and his wife, Violet. He had one
sister and the family home was in Church Road, Foots Cray. He enlisted at Bexleyheath in
1917 and was assigned to the Royal Tank Regiment.

The Tank Corps was first established about January 1915, when Winston Churchill started
to take an interest in this new phenomenon. Tanks were used for the first time on the
battlefield in September 1916 on the Somme but there too many unforeseen problems and
it was not a success. John Browning’s Tank Regiment took part in the Battle of Cambrai
which is sometimes described as the first use of large numbers of tanks in combat.
Although it was the first successful combined arms operation on a large scale, the first use
of tanks was in September 1916 and both France and Britain had deployed tanks in large
numbers earlier in 1917.

The lives of many men were sacrificed, without any notable gain, but the military felt that
they had gained considerable experience of how to use the new Tank weapon.
Unfortunately John was one of the many casualties on the first day of the assault. Two war
gratuities were paid to his father: £10. in August 1918 and a further £6. in November 1919.

In Memoriam: Remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France

Rifleman George Herbert BURGESS King's Royal Rifle Corps, 8th Battalion
1898 - 11th October 1917

The third son born in Plumstead, south east London, to William and Jessie
Burgess, George's home was now Coronation Cottages, Foots Cray. He enlisted at Belhus
Park Camp, Essex, which was the home of Sir Burnett-Lennard who allowed his house
(Belhus Mansion) and grounds to be used as a military camp during the war. George was a
keen sportsman, taking part in various Regimental running races whilst training and it was
reported that he was a very conscientious soldier. His three brothers, William, Joseph and
Harry, also served in the military during the War.

His Captain wrote to his mother that her son was killed in action on 11th, but added the
comforting words that he suffered no pain. He was buried close to where he fell.

In Memoriam: Remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

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