The Life and Times of Hubert Brooks M.C. C.D. A Canadian Hero

A.13.0   The AJ Brooks Family Line Back in Eastern Canada

A.13.3   1938 to 1950: RCAF / Doris Brooks Marries / Alfred Brooks Dies / Hubert Brooks Marries

Hubert Brooks Enlists in the Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.)

In 1938, some eight years after arriving in Montreal, Hubert Brooks tried to enlist in the R.C.A.F. at the young age of 17. However it was not until August 1940 that he was accepted. He applied to be either an air crew pilot or an observer/navigator. See the main body of this biography for Hubert Brooks' R.C.A.F. training and war time experiences.

Left to Right: i) Hubert Brooks and Sister Doris Brooks; ii) Hubert Brooks, Doris Brooks, Doris' Future Husband Len Gendron
PHOTOS Courtesy: Hubert Brooks Private Collection

Left to Right: i) 23 of March 1941: Doris Brooks (age 17) and brother Hubert Brooks (age 19); ii) Len Gendron and Hubert Brooks
PHOTOS Courtesy: Hubert Brooks Private Collection

Hubert Brooks was sent overseas by the R.C.A.F. in September of 1941 at the age of 20. As per the main biographical account, Hubert landed "safe" in the U.K. March 1945 and returned to Canada May 1945 by which time his father had died and his sister had married.

Brooks Family Life Continues in Montreal

Alfred Brooks finally gave up his mineral prospecting in northern Quebec and Ontario when it became clear that success was not forthcoming.

Fred Brooks then worked in succession for the firm Beatty Brothers and then Walter & Scott fire equipment firm.

1942: Laura and Alfred Brooks and daughter Doris
PHOTOS Courtesy: Hubert Brooks Private Collection

Hubert Brooks' Sister Doris Brooks
PHOTOS Courtesy: Hubert Brooks Private Collection

Hubert's Sister Doris Brooks Marries Len Gendron

In late 1943, (while Hubert Brooks was still fighting with the Polish AK Underground Army in the south of Poland) Doris Brooks married long time beau Joseph Jules Léonard (Len) Gendron. Len was born in Mont-Joli Quebec on May 10, 1919. By that time, Len had developed quite a career for himself in the RCMP. Len had signed up with the RCMP in June of 1940 and progressively advanced from constable, to corporal to sergeant major before transferring to the Sûreté du Quebéc (Quebec Provincial Police) in December of 1962. Len was to stay with the Sûreté until his retirement in 1979 where he had moved from responsibilities of Personnel for Quebé City, then to Montreal to then being charged with the Province's Organized Crime efforts.

PHOTO of Len Gendron (in full RCMP uniform) with Doris Brooks circa 1943 PHOTO Courtesy: Ron Gendron

PHOTO of Len Gendron, Laura Brooks, Doris Gendron PHOTO Courtesy: Ron Gendron

Fred Brooks dies Saturday May 13, 1944 at the age of 53

Alfred (Joseph) Brooks died Saturday May 13, 1944 at the age of 53. It was said that he died of a heart attack shortly after being incorrectly informed by the Red Cross that his son Hubert had died at the hand of the Nazis. Alfred Brooks is buried in the Farant/ Brooks Family grave in Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa. Alfred's mother, Marie Brooks was to die a few months later in September of 1944.

Hubert Brooks Marries Birthe (Bea) Grøntved February 7 1948

Hubert Brooks married Birthe (Bea) Grøntved (b. 8 July 1921) from (Copenhagen) Denmark the day after the Closing Ceremonies of the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz Switzerland on Feb 7, 1948. See the main body of this biography for further details.

PHOTO Outside of St. Moritz Switzerland Church of RCAF Flyer Olympic Gold Hockey Team Holding Arch of Hockey Sticks
Following Wedding of Hubert & Birthe Brooks Feb 7, 1948
The Day Following Hockey Olympic Championship
PHOTO Courtesy: Hubert Brooks Private Collection

PHOTOS of Birthe (Bea) Grøntved's Mother and Father: Anna Margrethe and Peter Fredsted The Day Following Hockey Olympic Championship PHOTO Courtesy: Birthe Brooks Private Collection

PHOTO of Stairway Wall of Photos at Danish Home of Birthe Brooks PHOTO Courtesy: Birthe Brooks Private Collection

PHOTOS of Birthe (Bea) (Grøntved) Brooks
PHOTO Courtesy: Birthe Brooks Private Collection

November 14 1950 Hubert Brooks Is Presented with the Military Cross Award

The Military Cross Award was formally presented by Governor General Viscount Alexander to Hubert Brooks at Government House in Ottawa on 14 November 1950. see the main body of this biography for further details.

PHOTO from Government House Ottawa 14 November 1950 On Occasion of Presentation of Military Cross to Hubert Brooks
Laura Brooks, Hubert Brooks, Bea Brooks
PHOTO Courtesy: Hubert Brooks Private Collection

The Life and Times of Hubert Brooks M.C. C.D.