John Simon Brock (1862 - 1919)

Born 16 Dec 1862 in Bishopsteignton, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Edith Ethel Fleming — married 7 Feb 1900 in Southport

Descendants

Died 22 Jul 1919 at age 56 in Cape Province, South Africa

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Biography

John was born in 1862 to James Brock and Mary Trude.

In 1898, he traveled to Mombasa from England after having been appointed as the Junior Assistant Medical Officer for the Uganda Railway. He spent time in Tsavo, Makindu and Nairobi prior to returning home to marry Mary Edith Ethel Fleming in Southport, England in February of 1900. A month later, he drew up a will which included his wife and future children as heirs upon his death. .^[1]

At the time of the writing, he lists his occupation as Senior Assistant Medical Officer of the Uganda Railway in South Africa. An article referencing his position as such shows him to have already been in Uganda as early as 1899, when he proposed that the railroad company provide resources to assure vegetable production for consumption by the workers. The laborers who were responsible for working with the railroad had a high rate of scurvy among the population. John made the case that the cost of vegetable production would be less than the losses due to scurvy annually. His proposal was declined by the Uganda Railway Committee. ^[2]

John was dismissed from his position in January of 1902. He returned to England for a brief time before moving to South Africa in March of 1903, along with his wife and children. ^[3]

He and Ethel went on to have five children. John passed in 1919, in the Valkenberg Mental Hospital.

Born 16 DEC 1862. Bishopsteignton Died 22 JUL 1919. Cape Town. Note: Valkenberg Mental Hospital. ^[4]

Occupation: Medical Doctor.

Marriage Husband John (Simon) Brock. Wife Mary Edith Ethel Fleming. Marriage 7 FEB 1900. Southport Child: Kathleen Mary Brock. Child: Margaret Ethel Brock. Child: Gwendolen Truda Brock. Child: John Fleming Brock. Child: Elise Hazel Brock.

Notes

Had a middle name (Simon or Samuel) which he never used because he disliked it; from his uncle (which would make it Simon) Insisted on leaving school early and went farming, his sister Mary joining him. He became disillusioned and went into medical training.

Note Etta Fleming and J.H Patterson (author of Man-eaters of Tsavo) witnessed the marriage certificate of John Brock and Ethel Fleming.

Death notice indicates that he died in Valkenberg Medical Hospital, Observatory, and had been admitted from Port Elizabeth; signed by Dr Cassidy, Physician Superintendent. First will made at Marina, Landscore Rd, Teignmouth on 28 March 1900 made by Mr. R. Tapley of Exeter. Will appoints Dr. John Hern and Mary E. Brock trustees, but leaves all decisions to his “dear wife”. Codicil made in Port Elizabeth on 4 August 1917 affirms will, but appoints Thomas Stevenson of P.E. and Mary E. Brock to be executors with respect to assets and affairs in South Africa. notice in Cape Times on July 25 says simply “Dr. John Brock of Port Elizabeth at rest July 22”.

Sources

1. ↑ Last Will and Testament of John Brock March 1900: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9BT-Y9VX-P?i=250&cc=2517051
2. ↑ Labor Practices and Precendents Along the Uganda Railway, 1893-1903, Samuel G Ruchman, pg. 269.
3. ↑ https://www.europeansineastafrica.co.uk/_site/custom/database/default.asp?a=viewIndividual&pid=2&person=17034 (date and place of birth as well as middle initial are incorrect)
4. ↑ "South Africa, Cape Province, Civil Records, 1840-1972," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7YTD-CH3Z : 10 March 2021), John Brock, 22 Jul 1919, Wynberg, Cape Province, South Africa; citing National Archives, Pretoria; FHL microfilm .

• Source: S14 Census Martin Brock
• Source: S45 Truda Brock
• Source: S68 Death Notice No. 3500 for John Brock