Richard John Brookes, was baptised on 23 April 1899 in Lower Gornal, Staffordshire. He was the son of Richard Thomas Brookes and Mary nee' Clarke. His birth was registered in June quarter 1899 in Dudley district. His mothers maiden name was recorded as Clarke.
His parents Richard Thomas Brookes and Mary Clarke had married in December quarter 1898 in the district of Dudley, Staffordshire. The death of a Mary Brooks aged 21, was registered in March quarter 1900 in Dudley district.
In 1901, 1 year old Richard J Brookes is with his grandmother Charlotte Brookes (widow) aged 61, his father Richard Brookes (widower) aged 26, May Brookes aged 5, and Charlotte Brooks aged 3. The family are living at 51 Lake Street, Sedgley, Staffordshire.
In 1911, 11 years old Richard Brookes is with his widowed father Richard, Miner aged 36, grandmother Charlotte Brookes aged 71, May Clarke aged 15, and Lottie Clarke aged 13. The family are still living at 51 Lake Street, Sedgley.
The marriage of Richard J. Brookes to Elsie M. Hale was registered in September quarter 1920 in the district of Dudley.
By 1921, Richard John Brookes is a 22 years old Coal Miner with wife Elsie aged 20, and Elsie's parents John and Elizabeth Hale and Elsie's brother John Hale aged 11 years. The family are living at 21 Lake Street, Lower Gornal, Sedgley.
The birth of son Richard J. Brookes (jun) was regisered in December quarter 1921 in Dudley district.
The birth of daughter Gladys M. Brookes was registered in September quarter 1923 in Rotherham district.
In November 1923, Richard John's widow Elsie May Brookes and her children Richard John and Gladys May, of 6 Coleridge Road, Maltby, were awarded a grant of £170 from the Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Maltby Relief Fund.
The death of Richard J. Brooks was registered March quarter 1924 in Doncaster district.