CROOKS, Douglas Harold
Born: 20 October 1889; died 13 November 1918; buried 15 November 1918; age 29
Occupation: Tram Conductor
Parents: Jeanie Flora McDonald TAYLOR and Thomas Henry CROOKS
Siblings: Donald Henry (b1888); Gladys Lillian (b1889); Mabel Gertrude (b1895)
The family lived in Christchurch with Donald, Douglas, Gladys and Mabel being born there.
Married: Daisy Elsie KERR on 12 December 1912 in Wellington
Children: Kenneth Douglas (b1913); Raymond Henry (b1915); Malcolm Bruce (b1916); Thelma May (b1917)
Death Notices:
CROOKS – On the 13th November, 1918, at the Alexandra Hall, Abel Smith-street, Douglas Harold, dearly beloved husband of Daisy Elsie Crooks, and second beloved son of the late Thomas Henry Crooks; aged 29 years. Dearly loved, sadly missed.
(Evening Post, 14 November 1918)
CROOKS – On November 13 (died suddenly of pneumonia), at Wellington, Douglas Harold (Doug), youngest son of the late Henry Crooks, Richmond, and dearly loved brother of M and H Crooks and G Coton, Severn Street, St Albans; aged 29 years. Deeply regretted.
(Sun, 16 November 1918)
Newspaper article:
THE TRAMWAYS
NO SERVICE TO-MORROW
The position on the cars, insofar as the number of men affected by influenza is concerned, remains approximately the same since Thursday. About 135 traffic men are suffering from the epidemic. Unfortunately so far two men have succumbed – Conductor Crooks and Motorman Rowberry (1). Inspector Baker (2), who recently went into camp, contracted influenza there, and died in Victoria Hospital the other day. With the large number of men away the service has been limited, but as all sections of the community are affected the number people using the cars is correspondingly reduced. The department has also been materially assisted by voluntary workers – several ex-tramwaymen with the necessary qualifications giving their assistance. In order to give all concerned an opportunity to recuperate, no Sunday service will be run to-morrow, the 17th instant.
(Evening Post, 16 November 1918)
Karori Cemetery Grave Information:
Section: CH ENG2
Plot: 31 E
Notes:
(1) The two men are buried beside each other in Karori Cemetery, with Motorman Rowberry being buried the day after Conductor Crooks, in the grave immediately to the right (when standing at bottom end of plot looking towards headstone). Joseph Rowberry died on 14 November, buried 16 November, 29 years of age, married with three very young children.
(2) Inspector Ernest Baker died on 12 November, buried 14 November, 37 years of age, married with two daughters. He is buried in the Soldiers Section, Karori Cemetery.
Researched and written by Beverley Hamlin
Sources:
1. New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages - www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
2. Newspapers: www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
3. Karori Cemetery Database – www.wellington.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/cemeteries/cemeteries
4. Crooks family information – www.ancestry.co.uk
Born: 20 October 1889; died 13 November 1918; buried 15 November 1918; age 29
Occupation: Tram Conductor
Parents: Jeanie Flora McDonald TAYLOR and Thomas Henry CROOKS
Siblings: Donald Henry (b1888); Gladys Lillian (b1889); Mabel Gertrude (b1895)
The family lived in Christchurch with Donald, Douglas, Gladys and Mabel being born there.
Married: Daisy Elsie KERR on 12 December 1912 in Wellington
Children: Kenneth Douglas (b1913); Raymond Henry (b1915); Malcolm Bruce (b1916); Thelma May (b1917)
Death Notices:
CROOKS – On the 13th November, 1918, at the Alexandra Hall, Abel Smith-street, Douglas Harold, dearly beloved husband of Daisy Elsie Crooks, and second beloved son of the late Thomas Henry Crooks; aged 29 years. Dearly loved, sadly missed.
(Evening Post, 14 November 1918)
CROOKS – On November 13 (died suddenly of pneumonia), at Wellington, Douglas Harold (Doug), youngest son of the late Henry Crooks, Richmond, and dearly loved brother of M and H Crooks and G Coton, Severn Street, St Albans; aged 29 years. Deeply regretted.
(Sun, 16 November 1918)
Newspaper article:
THE TRAMWAYS
NO SERVICE TO-MORROW
The position on the cars, insofar as the number of men affected by influenza is concerned, remains approximately the same since Thursday. About 135 traffic men are suffering from the epidemic. Unfortunately so far two men have succumbed – Conductor Crooks and Motorman Rowberry (1). Inspector Baker (2), who recently went into camp, contracted influenza there, and died in Victoria Hospital the other day. With the large number of men away the service has been limited, but as all sections of the community are affected the number people using the cars is correspondingly reduced. The department has also been materially assisted by voluntary workers – several ex-tramwaymen with the necessary qualifications giving their assistance. In order to give all concerned an opportunity to recuperate, no Sunday service will be run to-morrow, the 17th instant.
(Evening Post, 16 November 1918)
Karori Cemetery Grave Information:
Section: CH ENG2
Plot: 31 E
Notes:
(1) The two men are buried beside each other in Karori Cemetery, with Motorman Rowberry being buried the day after Conductor Crooks, in the grave immediately to the right (when standing at bottom end of plot looking towards headstone). Joseph Rowberry died on 14 November, buried 16 November, 29 years of age, married with three very young children.
(2) Inspector Ernest Baker died on 12 November, buried 14 November, 37 years of age, married with two daughters. He is buried in the Soldiers Section, Karori Cemetery.
Researched and written by Beverley Hamlin
Sources:
1. New Zealand Births, Deaths & Marriages - www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz
2. Newspapers: www.paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
3. Karori Cemetery Database – www.wellington.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/cemeteries/cemeteries
4. Crooks family information – www.ancestry.co.uk
