Glenn Wesley Brooks Reported Missing Now Presumed Dead

Glenn Wesley Brooks Reported Missing Now Presumed Dead

Glenn's obituary. Mentions that Glenn was previously reported missing and is now presumed dead. It mentions his birth and schools attended, training and marriage to Dora. He completed 29 operations but was shot down on an attack on the Dortmund-Ems canal. Additionally there is a memoriam intimation for Glenn.

1944-10-19

Two newspaper cuttings

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Bowmanville Statesman, ~ 19 Oct 1944

PO. Glen Brooks Reported Missing Now Presumed Dead

Pilot Officer Glenn Wesley Brooks, previously reported missing on Oct. 7, 1944, is now for official purposes presumed dead.

Born in Oshawa on Dec. 21, 1922, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Wesley Brooks. He attended King Street United Church and Sunday School, and Mary Street Public School.

When his parents moved to the Bowmanville District in 1932, he

[photograph]

completed his public school course at S.S. No. 5, Providence, and three years in the Bowmanville High School. He then worked one year on his father’s farm and one year with General Motors at Oshawa.

Prompted by loyalty to his country, he joined the R.C.A.F. on Oct. 12, 1942. He received his basic training at Manning Depot, Toronto, further training at Ottawa, St. Hubert’s and Edmonton and graduated at Macdonald, Man., Nov. 12, 1943, as an air gunner.

Of sterling character and pleasing personality he was very highly regarded by all who knew him. Endowed with marked musical ability, he won the Junior Gold Medal in vocal music for Durham County at the age of 11. On April 24, 1943, he was united in marriage with Miss Dora Martin of Newcastle, Ont. Before he left for overseas in December, 1943, his many friends and relatives attended a party in his honor and wished him a speedy return.

On his 21st birthday, he landed in England where he continued operational training and was placed with the Bomber Command. He completed 29 successful operational flights with the famous Lion Squadron and received his commission as Pilot Officer in August, 1944. He was then transferred to the Thunder Bird Squadron. His first flight with this squadron was the fateful trip from which he failed to return. His ship was brought down by flak while bombing the Dortmund-Ems Canal. Only four members of his crew are known to have landed safely.

Surviving are his wife, his parents, a sister Gwendolyn, and a brother, Grant.

IN MEMORIAM

BROOKS – In proud and loving memory of our dear son and brother, P.O. Glenn Wesley Brooks, who failed to return from a bombing trip over Dortmund, Germany, October 7, 1944.

Beautiful memories are all we have left
Of him we loved dearly and shall never forget,
His lovely smile and happy face,
Broken link we can never replace,
Sad was the parting no one can tell,
So sudden on earth the sorrow fell,
Memories are treasures no one can steal,
Death leaves a heartache nothing can heal.

– Ever remembered by Mum and Dad, Gwendolyn and Grant.
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