Description
Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, with second award clasp, 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medal, Corporal James Ellis “Jim” Brooks, Royal Engineers, an exceptional multi gallantry group with original paperwork.
DCM named: “482103 L. Cpl J. E. Crooks: 49/C. S. Coy. R.E.”
M.M. named: “482103 Spr-A. L. Cpl. J. E. Crooks. 49/W. Rid. D. S. Coy. R.E.”
1914-15 Star named: “1400 Spr J. E. Crooks. R.E.”
British War Medal is an unnamed example mounted with the group.
Victory Medal named: “1400 A. Cpl J. E. Crooks. R.E.”
Mounted on old silk ribbons as worn.
Awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in the London Gazette 3rd October 1918 the citation reading:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty (at Nieppe on 11th April 1918), while in charge of a party of linesmen laying a line. Owing to men dropping back to repair breaks he was left to go on alone, and finally, under heavy shell fire, got the line through, enabling important messages to be sent. He showed fine courage and determination.
Awarded his first Military Medal in the London Gazette on 13th September 1918.
Awarded the second award bar to his Military Medal in the London Gazette on 17th June 1919.
Whilst about 109,600 Military Medals were awarded during WW1, only 5,977 second award bars would be awarded.
With the following:
Original HQ 2nd Army award certificate for his DCM and Army Orders announcing his DCM dated 20th June 1918, his Mineworkers Pension Certificate, Certificate of Employment during the war, certificate for transfer to the Reserves, marriage certificate, his discharged certificate from the Army Reserve. 2 Original wartime congratulatory letters.
Also with file of varied copy research.
James Ellis Crooks was born in Barmborough, Doncaster on 20th April 1892. He was working as a Coal Miner when he first attested for service with the Royal Engineers on 28th October 1914 and joined the 49th West Riding Division Signal Company.
He arrived for service in France from 24th November 1915.
He served throughout the war and was discharged to the Army Reserve on 21st January 1919, being later discharged from the Reserves on 30th October 1927.
An original wartime letter written on an Army Form C2122 with the group reads:
“Congratulations my dear Jim and may you live to be 100, don’t know of anything that his given me more pleasure, again congratulations. J. Burke.”
Another wartime letter dated 16th June 1918:
“Dear Old Jim
Just a line to say how pleased I am to know that you are at last awarded what you have earned long ago and many times over.
Sure the award is popular with the section.
Heartiest congratulations and may your promotion follow toot sweet.
Good Luck.
From yours Sincerely
***ard H. Pitcher”
Following his discharge he returned home and married Margaret Leonard at Whiston Parish Church on 12th February 1919, and returned to the mines as a Coal Miner until his retirement.
He died in Bolton during 1974 at the age of 82.
An obituary reads:
“The death of Mr James Ellis Crooks (82) occurred at his home 15 Chapel Street, Bolton, December 30th 1974. Bereaved are 3 daughters.
Mr Crooks was a native of Bolton and worked at Hickleton Main Colliery until his retirement.
He fought in France during the 1914-18 War and was awarded the DCM, MM and bar for conspicuous bravery.
The funeral took place on 3rd January and a service was held at Furlong Road Methodist Church.”
