Coagh and District in World War One

12/05/2019

The 1911 census does not list Samuel as living with the family at house 5 in Tullyveagh, Red Row Village, Coagh. His mother was a widow. She was working as a ‘lawn wearer’, Thomas was the only son still living with her.

12/05/2019

Samuel’s father, Thomas Crooks, died on 31st August 1903 in the Coagh area, aged 33.

12/05/2019

The 1901 census lists Sam H as age 8, living with the family at house 9 in Edernagh, Coagh, County Tyrone. His father was a farm labourer.

12/05/2019

Known family: Thomas Crooks, Jane Crooks, Samuel Henry Crooks (born about 1893), John Crooks (born about 1895), Thomas Crooks (born about 1897), Joseph Crooks (born about 1900).

12/05/2019

Samuel Henry Crooks was born about 1893 in the Coagh area. He was one of at least four children, all boys.

12/05/2019

Samuel Henry Crooks was the son of Thomas and Jane Crooks. Thomas Crooks and Jane Anderson were married on 1st September 1892 in the district of Cookstown.

12/05/2019

Samuel H Crooks was listed on Panel One of the World War One memorial in Coagh Orange Hall to those who served.

12/05/2019

Although we know that three Crooks brothers served with the Ulster Division and were injured, we only know the names of two of them – Samuel and John. James is NOT thought to be a brother.

13/03/2019

A report from September 1917 states that Gunner Crooks had been wounded. In fact, all three brothers were now in hospital, suffering from wounds received.

13/03/2019

Gunner S H Crooks, Royal Garrison Artillery, whose mother resides at Drapersfield, is home from France on a few days leave. He joined the army about two years ago, and has been in the fighting line since May. A gunner in the 86th Trench Mortar Battery, he was in the thick of things at Loos, where he says he lost his cap in the advance, but compensated himself by picking up one from beside a dead officer, which served for the time being. Asked if the trench mortar fighting was not unusually dangerous, he laughingly replied that they were always in the front trenches and were known as the suicide club. The danger, however, was part of the day’s work. Gunner Crooks, who looks in splendid health and spirits, has two brothers in the Ulster Division, and all his male relatives of military age have joined the army. He says a lot of his young companions in and around Cookstown are long of joining, but please God, they’ll come soon with the word ‘conscript’ on their tunic, and it will serve them right. He goes back to the front on Tuesday.

13/03/2019

From the Belfast Newsletter dated 17th September 1917:

13/03/2019

Gunner Samuel H Crooks, Royal Garrison Artillery, wounded, is a son of Mrs Anderson, Littlebridge, County Tyrone, who has two other boys in hospital, suffering from wounds.

13/03/2019

Samuel Crooks joined the army around 1913.

13/03/2019

Gunner Samuel Henry Crooks served with the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was a gunner in the 86th Trench Mortar Battery.

13/03/2019

Gunner Crooks went to the front on May 1915. He took part in the Battle of Loos.

13/03/2019

Fro40645m the Mid Ulster Mail dated 4th December 1915: Gunner Crooks Home

13/03/2019

Gunner Samuel Henry Crooks had two brothers with the Ulster Division. All his male relatives of military age had joined the army by the end of 1915.

13/03/2019

In December 1915, he returned home from France on leave to his mother, who was by then residing in Drapersfield.

Date	Information

12/05/2019	The 1911 census does not list Samuel as living with the family at house 5 in Tullyveagh, Red Row Village, Coagh. His mother was a widow. She was working as a ‘lawn wearer’, Thomas was the only son still living with her.
12/05/2019	Samuel’s father, Thomas Crooks, died on 31st August 1903 in the Coagh area, aged 33.
12/05/2019	The 1901 census lists Sam H as age 8, living with the family at house 9 in Edernagh, Coagh, County Tyrone. His father was a farm labourer.
12/05/2019	Known family: Thomas Crooks, Jane Crooks, Samuel Henry Crooks (born about 1893), John Crooks (born about 1895), Thomas Crooks (born about 1897), Joseph Crooks (born about 1900).
12/05/2019	Samuel Henry Crooks was born about 1893 in the Coagh area. He was one of at least four children, all boys.
12/05/2019	Samuel Henry Crooks was the son of Thomas and Jane Crooks. Thomas Crooks and Jane Anderson were married on 1st September 1892 in the district of Cookstown.
12/05/2019
12/05/2019	Samuel H Crooks was listed on Panel One of the World War One memorial in Coagh Orange Hall to those who served.
12/05/2019	Although we know that three Crooks brothers served with the Ulster Division and were injured, we only know the names of two of them – Samuel and John. James is NOT thought to be a brother.
13/03/2019	A report from September 1917 states that Gunner Crooks had been wounded. In fact, all three brothers were now in hospital, suffering from wounds received.
13/03/2019
13/03/2019	Gunner S H Crooks, Royal Garrison Artillery, whose mother resides at Drapersfield, is home from France on a few days leave. He joined the army about two years ago, and has been in the fighting line since May. A gunner in the 86th Trench Mortar Battery, he was in the thick of things at Loos, where he says he lost his cap in the advance, but compensated himself by picking up one from beside a dead officer, which served for the time being. Asked if the trench mortar fighting was not unusually dangerous, he laughingly replied that they were always in the front trenches and were known as the suicide club. The danger, however, was part of the day’s work. Gunner Crooks, who looks in splendid health and spirits, has two brothers in the Ulster Division, and all his male relatives of military age have joined the army. He says a lot of his young companions in and around Cookstown are long of joining, but please God, they’ll come soon with the word ‘conscript’ on their tunic, and it will serve them right. He goes back to the front on Tuesday.
13/03/2019	From the Belfast Newsletter dated 17th September 1917:
13/03/2019
13/03/2019	Gunner Samuel H Crooks, Royal Garrison Artillery, wounded, is a son of Mrs Anderson, Littlebridge, County Tyrone, who has two other boys in hospital, suffering from wounds.
13/03/2019	Samuel Crooks joined the army around 1913.
13/03/2019	Gunner Samuel Henry Crooks served with the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was a gunner in the 86th Trench Mortar Battery.
13/03/2019	Gunner Crooks went to the front on May 1915. He took part in the Battle of Loos.
13/03/2019	Fro40645m the Mid Ulster Mail dated 4th December 1915: Gunner Crooks Home
13/03/2019	Gunner Samuel Henry Crooks had two brothers with the Ulster Division. All his male relatives of military age had joined the army by the end of 1915.
13/03/2019	In December 1915, he returned home from France on leave to his mother, who was by then residing in Drapersfield.