Albert Brookes
2431 Albert Ernest Brookes
2/6th Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment
Albert attested on the 8th August 1914 in Wolverhampton.At that time his address was Lea Crest, 137 Sedgley Road, Tipton, where he lived with his wife, Evelyn. They had two children, Mabel Millicent born 25/04/1909, and Nancy Gwendoline born 02/01/1916. Previously he had been in the 3rd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment (Reserves).
His medical on the 11th August 1914 gave the following details:
Age: 29 years 1 month
Height: 5′ 4″
Chest: 35″, expansion 2 1/2″
Vision: good
Physical development: fair
He was declared fit for service by Thomas H. Heath, medical officer, and approved for service by Captain C. W. Genden, recruiting officer, and Herbert Taylor, the commanding officer 6th battalion.
All of his service was home service. He was initially posted to the 2/6th Battalion, and then attached to the 28th Provisional Battalion from 23rd May 1916.
He was discharged from service on 11th October 1916, under para 392, section XVI, King’s regulations as being no longer physically fit for war service, after 2 years 65 days engagement.
The Medical Board report from 27th September 1916 stated:
Cause of discharge: medically unfit V.B. (Aortic)
Originated 18 months ago in Luton. He had Pleurisy and Pneumonia 1 year ago at St. Albans. He began to notice swelling of ankles and odema of legs 3 months ago when at Steeple. He was sent to V.A.B. hospital in March where he was kept quiet and found to have albuminium. He has bad Dyspnoea very marked lately. Present Condition: Has an aortic systolic buuit amputation inadequate. Urine contains about +o albumen. His dyspnoea has grown worse and he cannot drill or perform military duty. The result of ordinary military service: exposure to wet.
He was granted a pension, but this was stopped on 11th October 1917. He appealed for a reexamination, but when this took place on 13th December 1917 it found:
I am of the opinion that the disability is negligible now. He never had V.O.M. The heart trouble was secondary to the kidney maschieff (a frequent thing) and the latter has cleared up and consequently the heart has recovered itself.
National Archives WO364