Private George Semperius Brooks

1. Private (Army). 1917-08-23 to 1918-09-14
2. Private (Army). 1917-07-13 to 1917-08-23
3. Private, No. 2 Canadian Construction Company, Canadian Forestry Corps (Army). 1916-10-01 to 1917-07-13
4. Private (Army). 1916-06-01 to 1916-10-01

Prior service - 5 years 10th U.S. Cavalry (part time as cook) // 6 months A Company, 8th Illinois Battalion, (Spanish American War)

It is noted on his Attestation Paper that he transferred to the No. 2 Construction Battalion on March 25, 1917.

The Legacy Voices Project-No. 2 Construction Battalion - Legacy Voices digitized this file in 2011

This soldier declared that he was born in Cuba on his attestation but research identified he was American. Interesting article about him here. https://georgebrooksca.wordpress.com/

His name shown above is 'George Semperius Brooks', but some military records also refer to him as 'George St. Pierre Brooks'. The Ottawa Journal dated May 7, 1948 (pg. 2) reported his death under the name 'George St. Pierre Brooks'. Similarly, a death notice in the St. Louis Star and Times dated May 8, 1948 (pg. 2) provided this information: "Deaths: George St. Pierre Brooks, 105, Canada's oldest war veteran, will be buried tomorrow at Winnipeg, Manitoba. Brooks was born in Brighton County, Ky., as a slave."

His Date of Birth declared on Attestation papers was June 1, 1876. His actual Date of Birth is difficult to ascertain because he told so many stories about his past and origins that we can only speculate. Find-A-Grave website suggests that his Date of Birth was January 1, 1844.

Discharged September 14, 1918 Medically Unfit

No. 2 Construction Battalion Nominal Roll The Lgacy Voics Projct [Private Army Canadian Army Dental Corps Canadian Army Dental Corps Depot Private Army Canadian Railway Troops No. 2 Construction Battalion Private Army Canadian Infantry Nova Scotia Regimental Depot Private Army Canadian Army Medical Corps Canadian Army Medical Corps Depot Epsom Discharged Medically Unfit ]