John Tom Brooks was born at number 16, Spa Buildings in Lincoln on 15th March 1864 and started life as a baker. On 8th Oct 1893 he married Annie Harding Baines (the ‘Harding’ part being her mother’s maiden name). They had only one child, Annie Mary born on 12th February 1894 at 49 John Street in Lincoln. In July 1928, Annie Mary married Harold Marshall at the Weslyan Chapel, Clasketgate, Lincoln.

John Tom continued with his chosen profession of Baker until about 1905 when he is listed in Kelly’s Lincolnshire Directory as ‘Manager No.17 Branch of Lincoln Equitable Co-operative Industrial Society Limited’. This is a position he held until he died on 28th May 1923.

John Tom’s work as Manager of the Reepham Co-Op branch was recorded in a book written by Duncan McInnes in 1911 called ‘History of Co-operation in Lincoln 1861-1911’, where he says 'The takings at this Branch now total, roundly speaking, £6,000 per annum, having steadily increased under good management, amid much strenuous local competition'.

The Co-op store in Reepham remained open for 78 years and closed in April 1979.

John Tom is buried at Reepham Methodist church along with his wife Annie. Around his grave there is the inscription ‘A Life well Spent’.