Lieutenant Julian Cornelius Brook

Born on 9 July 1890 at Waipu, Northland, New Zealand Julian Cornelius Brook was the first son of the local school headmaster. Following a family tradition of some four hundred years he received his father’s name, thereby becoming Julian Brook XVII. JC Brook was educated at Auckland Grammar School whereupon, as the winner of the MacAndrew Scholarship, he attended the University of Auckland ultimately gaining an LLB.

Qualifications in hand, JC Brook pursued a career as a solicitor practising on his own account at Kohukohu on the Hokianga Harbour. Whilst in this capacity, he enlisted in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force on 15 August 1914 having previously served two years in the Territorial Force.

As a single man aged twenty-four Private JC Brook, serial no. 12/600, embarked with the Auckland Infantry Battalion for the Dardanelles on 16 October 1914. Along with so many colleagues he was wounded in action at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. After being hospitalised at Alexandria, Egypt he returned to active duty on the peninsula, subsequently being wounded for a second time on 8 August 1915. Having spent another period in hospital JC Brook served out the remainder of the Dardanelles campaign. Having been promoted through the ranks during that time he eventually attained the rank of Warrant Officer Second Class.

At the conclusion of that campaign JC Brook was posted to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, landed in France and was promoted to Second Lieutenant on 19 December 1916.

After a spell at home in New Zealand, Brook embarked for England mid 1917 being appointed to the position of Assistant Adjutant of the 5th Battalion, NZRB on 15 February 1918 stationed at Brocton.

Relinquishing that posting on 31 May 1918 he was promoted to Lieutenant on 19 June and returned to France, rejoining the battalion at the front. Sadly, as one of 18,166 New Zealanders during World War I, JC Brook was killed in action on 2 September 1918 during the final episodes of the Battle for the Somme.

During his time at war, JC Brook captured photographic images on a personal Kodak ‘Box Brownie’ that visually describe life in the field for New Zealand troops.

Lieutenant Julian Cornelius Brook is buried at Adanac Military Cemetery, Miraumont, Somme, France. May he rest in peace.

Julian Brook XIX

© JD BROOK 2005
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Julian Brook was the son of Julian and Mary Brook, of Birkdale, Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand. Native of Remuera, Auckland. Also served at Gallipoli.

Julian Cornelius Brook was the 17th man as an eldest son to bear the name Julian Brook. The information supplier is Julian Brook the 19th - this naming lineage is continuous for 400+ years.

Attended Auckland Grammar School.

Attended Auckland University College (now the University of Auckland). AWMM