Source: From Brenda Howe's grandmother's photo album. Donated by Brenda Howe.
2 Articles from unknown newspapers
The above is a picture of Corp. Robert O. Brooks, first Speculator boy to lose his life in World War 2. He was stationed at Casper, Wyoming and was killed in an airplane crash on June 24.
The funeral service for Corp. Brooks was held June 29 at 3:45 from the Pilgrim Holiness church in Wells. Preceding the church service there was a prayer service at the home in Speculator at 2:30. Rev. Alvin Young of Northville rendered two solos. Rev. Orrin Fay of the Pilgrim Holiness church and Rev. J.N. Jump of Utica officiated. Burial was made in the family plot in Speculator cemetery. The service was largely attended.
Flowers were received from the Speculator Fire Department, Pilgrim Holiness Mission, Wells; Lake Pleasant Central school; Village Board of Speculator; Stanley Steves Post American Legion; children of the Lake Pleasant school.
Members of the Stanley Steves Post American Legion acted as the military escort. The following post members were bearers: Carl Early, Halsey Page, Stanley Schoolmaker, Archie Weaver, James Lawrence and Arthur Early.
At the conclusion of the service the American flag which was draped over the casket was presented to the mother by the Post Commander Fred York of the Stanley Steves Post American Legion.
Corporal Robert Brooks Killed in Airplane Crash at Casper, Wyoming
Speculator - Corporal Robert Brooks of Speculator, who has been stationed at Casper, Wyoming, met death in an airplane crash which occurred near the field while on a training mission last Saturday afternoon, June 24th.
Cpl. Brooks, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brooks, was born in Speculator on February 6, 1922. After graduating from Northville High School in 1941, he went to Quoddy, Maine, for a course in aeronautics. Then he took a course in airplane mechanics at the New York State Aviation School in Utica.
He entered service in the U.S. Army Air Corps on April 19, 1943, and received his basic training at Miami Beach, Florida. He was advances to PFC at Keesler Field, Mississippi, where he studied airplane mechanics. From there he was transferred to Tyndall Field, Florida. He graduated as aerial gunner and received his wings on March 14, 1944. At that time he was advanced to Corporal.
En route from Tyndall Field, Florida, to Lincoln, Nebraska, he stopped at his home in Speculator on March 17th, his last visit here. He was then assigned Flight Engineer and went to Casper, Wyoming, where he met the members of his crew of nine.
Cpl. Brooks had received several medals, such as sharpshooter, good conduct and others.
The body will arrive in Amsterdam today at 3 PM under a military escort. A prayer service will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:30 at the home of his parents in Speculator and the funeral service will be held at 3:45 at the Pilgrim Holiness Mission, Wells. Interment will be made in the family plot in Speculator cemetery.
Last Updated: Wednesday, 14-May-2008 13:36:44 PDT
Copyright © 2007: Brenda Howe