65th Regiment of foot

[Vern Lack]

Thanks for the response it will take me some time to follow all the advice offered. But I'll work through it. Everything points to this being the correct soldier. My next quest is to get details of the family that he brought with him. He and his wife Mary Jane Sweeney were born in Cork Ireland where they were married in 1844. They had 4 children before they sailed to NZ. John, Ellen, Elizabeth, and William Henry. 2 daughters Sarah Ann and Isabella were born in NZ. Unfortunately no records have come to light of their births. Are there any military records of a soldiers family? Thanks again.

[Vern Lack]

Hi Spades
Thanks for your help.
Thomas Brooks and Mary Jane Sweeney were married in Cork Ireland in 1844. They had 4 children before sailing to NZ. John, Ellen, Elizabeth, and William Henry. Another 2 arrived in NZ Sarah Ann and Isabella. How many if any he took with him is uncertain. Maybe military records can throw some light on that. Thomas died in New Plymouth on 26 Dec 1865- NZBMD 1865/7028. Mary Jane remarried James Conway in the name of Sweeney NZBMD1867/5749 on 22 Nov 1867. They had 2 sons James(1868/16538)  and Thomas Henry (1872/735). She died 7 Jul 1890 (1890/3319). James remarried Marion Stoddart (1890/2894). James, Mary and Marion were buried at Te henui, New Plymouth as was Thomas Brooks. As far as occupations gos I’m just getting around to researching electoral rolls and directories but it’s surprising how many people with the  same names settled New Plymouth in the mid 1800’s.
Vern

[spades]

Hi Vern,

Thanks for all that information, very helpful.

Do you have Thomas's death certificate? Why did he die so young (i.e. 42ish)? I can't find an inquest record on Archway.

In case his widow and family moved from New Plymouth you might find them here:
https://terangiaoaonunui.pukeariki.com/passenger-list/

Spades

[spades]

Thomas appears in this database under the name 'BROOKES'.
http://www.soldiersofempire.nz/database.html

This active University of Wellington Victoria research project provides excellent insight into the lives of Imperial soldiers and sailors who took their discharge in New Zealand. I'm sure they would be very interested in any information you could contribute regarding Thomas BROOKS.
http://www.soldiersofempire.nz/the-project.html

Spades

[spades]

Hi Vern,

I think you should approach Puke Ariki https://pukeariki.com/ to see if they have any information about Thomas or his family. They have excellent resources.

Provide all the information you have to help them find the gaps.

Spades

[Vern Lack]

Thanks Spades. I have a new enquiry re the Royal Dublin Fusiliers to submit once I've sorted out Thomas

[Vern Lack]

Hi Spades
Something I forgot it is claimed Thomas died of a "Bowel Stoppage"
Vern

[spades]

Hi Vern,

So probably a bowel obstruction - a nasty, painful way to go.

You might find these sites mentioning the 65th Regiment of interest:

http://hicketypip.tripod.com/history.htm

http://www.soldiersofempire.nz/blog/injury-and-illness-on-and-off-the-battlefield-in-the-new-zealand-wars

The Regimental Records of the British Army (1901).
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/51165/51165-h/51165-h.htm

Spades

[Vern Lack]

Hi Spades
Reading an obituary of James Conway Mary Jane Sweeney's second husband, it is claimed he served in the 65th also but I've been unable to find him. I found three Conways but no James.
From the medals list is there any way of finding what medals Thomas Brooks was entitled?