37. Thomas Britannicus⁶ Brooke (Thomas Henry⁵, Thomas Digby⁴, Robert³, Reverend William², William¹) was born in St. Helena 1803. Thomas died 1879 in Islington, London, at 76 years of age.

He married Elizabeth Brabazon. Elizabeth was born in St. Helena c1814. Elizabeth was the daughter of Mr. Brabazon. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon, 1851. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 12 Arundel Terrace, Islington, London, 1861. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 39 Ellington Street, Finsbury, London, 1871.

He was listed as head of household in the 1851 census in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon. He was listed as head of household in the 1861 census in 12 Arundel Terrace, Islington, London. He was listed as a resident in the census report in 39 Ellington Street, Finsbury, London, 1871.

Thomas Britannicus Brooke and Elizabeth Brabazon had the following children:

62 i. Eliza B.⁷ Brooke was born in St. Helena c1830. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon, 1851.

63 ii. Ann Brooke was born in St. Helena c1832. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon, 1851. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 12 Arundel Terrace, Islington, London, 1861. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 39 Ellington Street, Finsbury, London, 1871.

64 iii. Agnes Brooke was born in St. Helena c1834. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 12 Arundel Terrace, Islington, London, 1861.

65 iv. Lucinda Brooke was born in St. Helena c1836. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 12 Arundel Terrace, Islington, London, 1861. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 39 Ellington Street, Finsbury, London, 1871.

66 v. Jane N. Brooke was born in Torquay, Devon c1838. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon, 1851.

67 vi. Thomas H. Brooke was born in Barnstaple, Devon c1840. He was listed as a resident in the census report in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon, 1851.

68 vii. William Robert Brooke was born in Barnstaple, Devon c1842. William died 8/07/1924 in Albertgate Mansions, Knightsbridge, at 82 years of age. He married Evelyn Simons 1870. Evelyn was the daughter of John Simons. Evelyn died 19/12/1926.

He was listed as a resident in the census report in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon, 1851. William was knighted 1895. From The Times, July 9, 1924

Sir William Robert Brooke, K.C.I.E., who died suddenly yesterday at his residence n Albert-gate Mansions, Knightsbridge, at the age of 82, was one of the very small band of surviving civil servants who were in India at the time of the Mutiny. A son of Mr. Thomas Britannicus Brooke, of the East India service, he was appointed to the then infant Indian Telegraph Department in September, 1857, when he was only 15. His memories of those critical days were strong, and were reinforced by the formation of a considerable collection of letters and papers throwing light on this and subsequent periods of the British-Indian connexion. That he developed rapidly under the responsibilities which fell to young men in the technical departments of mid-Victorian years is shown by his reaching the grade of superintendent in the Bombay Presidency at the age of 24. Later he served in the Punjab, and for a time officiated as Director of Traffic for the whole country. In 1883 he was appointed Director of the construction branch, became Deputy Director-General six years later, and was in charge of the Department for the five years preceeding his retirement in April, 1895.

Brooke shared in the responsibilities of the remarkable extension of the telegraph system in the Indian Empire during his 37 years of service. One of his outstanding achievements was to develop, on the occasion of a campaign in Waziristan, the organization of field telegraphy for the frontier wars. He also supervised the junction of the Indian and Chinese systems on the Burmo-Chinese frontier after the annexation and pacification of Upper Burma. The C.I.E. was conferred on him in January, 1894, and the knighthood of the Order followed on his retirement. Sir William lived very quietly in London after his retirement, and was often at the Oriental Club. He married in 1870 Evelyn, daughter of Mr. John Simmons.

69 viii. Jemima M. Brooke was born in Barnstaple, Devon c1845. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon, 1851.

70 ix. Helena Brooke was born in Barnstaple, Devon c1847. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon, 1851. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 12 Arundel Terrace, Islington, London, 1861. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 39 Ellington Street, Finsbury, London, 1871.

71 x. Brabazon Brooke was born in Barnstaple, Devon 1848. He was listed as a resident in the census report in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon, 1851. He was listed as a resident in the census report in 12 Arundel Terrace, Islington, London, 1861. He was listed as a resident in the census report in 39 Ellington Street, Finsbury, London, 1871.

72 xi. Robert Brooke was born in Barnstaple, Devon c1850. He was listed as a resident in the census report in 2 Litchdon Terrace, Barnstaple, Devon, 1851. He was listed as a resident in the census report in 12 Arundel Terrace, Islington, London, 1861.

73 xii. Frances Brooke was born in Islington, London c1853. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 12 Arundel Terrace, Islington, London, 1861. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 39 Ellington Street, Finsbury, London, 1871.

74 xiii. Catherine Brooke was born in Islington, London c1856. She was listed as a resident in the census report in 12 Arundel Terrace, Islington, London, 1861.

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