Holbrook, Ben (also known as Oldbrook & Holdbrook)
Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Rank: Private
Service No: 3585
Boer War service: 14 Feb 1902 to 6 Sept 1902
Date of enlistment: 31 Dec 1891
Date of discharge: 30 Dec 1903
Reason for discharge: Termination of Engagement
Other information: Before going to South Africa he served in Hong Kong for 2 years and India for 7 years. Ben re-enlisted and served in WW1 – more information can be found on our Great War site.
Born: 1873 in Whitchurch, Shropshire.
Family: He was the fourth of five children born to Benjamin Holbrook, a bricklayer and his wife Ann. No marriage can be traced for Ben, however, the 1911 Census records a Ben and Elizabeth Clarke having six children, Doris, Robert, Annie, Edward, James and Alfred. However Doris and Robert are probably from Elizabeth’s marriage to Robert Clarke (who died in 1901). This man would appear to be Ben Holbrook. Another child, Benjamin was born to the couple in 1914, according to military records.
Residence: On the 1881 and 1891 Census, he was living at 20 Newtown Street, Whitchurch
Employment: He was a labourer when he enlisted..
Death: 1926 in Blackburn, Lancashire.
Other information: