Pvt 2849 William Brooks born Trinity Cambridge ca 1818

[Koria]

  I am seeking birth/baptismal details of William Brooks. Enlisted in 65th Regiment 1851.

[rosie99]

Regiment stationed at Aukland-New Zealand
Record set British Army, Worldwide Index 1861
Willm Brooks
Service number 2849
Rank Private
Unit or Regiment 65th Foot (2nd Yorkshire-N.Riding)

Was he married

[Koria]

Hi Rosie,
It is possible he was married before he enlisted in 1851. He may have left a wife behind when he came to New Zealand in 1852 perhaps. I think however this is unlikely.

He did however marry a Maori lady when he was in active service in New Zealand in 1853. He was discharged after completion in 1865.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my post.

I cannot work out why his place of birth is stated as being "Trinity Cambridge" .. It does not seem to exist. There is another soldier - James/John Brooks 2850 with the same birth place. No information regarding him either.

cheers
Koria

[Jomot]

Are you sure about his YoB, as there is a record on Ancestry saying he enlisted January 1851 aged 22, and John enlisted the same day, aged 20

There are/were parishes in Cambridgeshire with the word 'Trinity' in them, such as Holy Trinity Ely & Holy Trinity Cambridge.

Possible baptisms at Holy Trinity Ely
25 Jul 1828 William s/o William & Elizabeth Brookes, Labourer otp
30 Mar 1832 John s/o William & Elizabeth Brooks, Labourer otp

The same couple baptised a son, Matthew in 1834, and in 1841 there is a John Brooks aged 10 Matthew Brooks 5 listed together in the Ely workhouse.  If its the same family then I'm not sure where William is though.

ADDED: In 1851 Mat(t)hew is still in Ely but now living with his sister Emelia (Amelia) Levett aged 28, a widow and a pauper.  Amelia was baptised 14 Jan 1822 & married Joseph Levett in 1839.

[Jomot]

Still nothing to confirm that the Ely family is correct, but the workhouse records are probably connected to this (from Cambridgeshire Archives):

24 Feb 1841 - James Henry Smith relieving officer to the board of guardians for the Ely union against William Brooks, laborer of St Mary Ely for being idle and unable to maintain his family chargeable to the said parish.

11 May 1843 - James Henry Smith, Relieving Officer to the Board of Guardians for the Ely Poor Law Union, against William Brooks of St Mary in Ely, laborer, for not maintaining himself and his family.

[Koria]

Wow this is so interesting.

Am I able to access the source of this information on-line?

Here is what I have so Far from official sources:

2849  Pvt BROOKS William enlisted 25 Jan 1851 see Trove:
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1656868458/view
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1656847564/view
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1656805684/view
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1656762706/view
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1656702974/view
The next link tells me that William, Thomas and James Brooks arrived in new Zealand Aboard the freight ship “True Briton” in Dec 1852
https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1650833535/view

His marriage registration states his age at 12th October 1853 as 31yrs.
His Death certificate states his age at 6th July 1865 as 47yrs.

Cheers Koria

[Jomot]

Amelia's baptism: https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qvs/
William's baptism: https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qvp/
John's baptism: https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qvq/
Matthew's baptism: https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qvr/

Amelia's marriage is a transcription only, but she married Joseph Levett 12 Aug 1839.  He was a bachelor & labourer of full age, father = Joseph, labourer.  She was a minor, father William Brooks, labourer. Both signed X

She married again on 5 Nov 1854:
Robert Hitch, widower aged 30, labourer of of Back Hill, father = William Hitch, Labourer
Amelia Levitt, widow aged 31 of Broad Street, father William Brooks, Labourer

If you have access to Ancestry then the record showing that John & William enlisted together on 27 Jan 1851 is below.  Service No's 2849 & 2850, both labourers born Trinity, Cambridge, William aged 22 & John aged 20.  https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qvt/

To search manually, the record set is UK, Army Regimental Rolls of Non-commissioned Officers and Soldiers, 1806-1892.

1841 census for Matthew (with John) in the workhouse & 1851 census for him with Amelia
https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qvu/

1841 census for Amelia: https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qvv/

Archive references to William Brooks Sr (there are other references to what appears to also be him being charged with assault)
https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qvw/
https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qvx/

[Koria]

 

I am eternally grateful. Thank you very much.

May you stay forever covid free and all your wishes come true.

cheers
Koria

[Jomot]

He was discharged after completion in 1865.

His discharge was 26 Jan 1863, not 1865. 

He & John were posted to NZ 14 Aug 1852, but John deserted.

There is a note against William's medal record saying it was issued to his daughter, Mrs A Allen, 17 Jun 1933.

ADDED: William & John are both on the 1851 census at Brompton Barracks, Gilllingham, Kent - William aged 22 & John aged 20, both Privates born Trinity, Cambridge.  What I assume is the Thomas Brooks you mentioned is aged 23 & born Cork, Ireland.   https://www.rootschat.com/links/01qw0/