Abridged from the Paignton Western Guardian 25 January 1917

(The Daily Colonist B.C.)

Pte. Brooke-Smith who was wounded a second time last August, was recently operated upon in order that the use of his limbs might be restored. The operation lasted three hours, but was unsuccessful causing the patient’s death within an hour afterwards.

He left here with one of the early drafts and was attached to the 7th Battalion. He was first wounded in May, 1915, but recovered and went back to the front, where he was again injured, this time more seriously. His condition gradually became worse until the operation which proved fatal, was found necessary. He was a native of Natal, South Africa, and was the son of Capt. Brooke-Smith of the Royal Naval Reserve. He was educated at King Alfred’s School, Wantage, England and came to Vancouver Island in 1910, going direct to Duncan, where he later became interested in a tobacco business. He was rated a first-class cricketer and was a member of both the Cowichan Cricket Club and the Duncan Football Club. He was amongst the first to enlist from Duncan and there are two brothers now serving, one on a minesweeper and the other in Africa.