Holbrook was born in Arkansaw, Wisconsin.[1] He was a son of Willard Francis and Mary (Ames) Holbrook.[2] His father was born at Wrentham, Massachusetts, on April 27, 1827, and died September 17, 1886. Holbrook's mother, Mary Ames, was born November 19, 1840, at West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and died on July 12, 1889.
Holbrook was assigned to the Commissary Department where he commanded the first training school for army bakers and cooks until March 9, 1911.[2] During this time, he wrote the army's first cooking manuals. He was assisted in this endeavor by Color Sergeant, later Major Patrick Dunne. These works include:
Handling the Straight Army Ration and Baking Bread. A Practical Manual for Army Cooks, Mess Stewards, and Post Bakers, in Field or in Garrison and on the March; for Company Officers, Post Treasurers and Mess Officers of Troops Aboard Army Transports with Patrick Dunne (1905)[3]
The Army Baker: A Manual Prepared for the Use of Students of the Training School for Bakers and Cooks (1910)[4]
The Mess Sergeant's Handbook with Patrick Dunne (1916)[5]
Holbrook then served as Assistant to the Chief Commissary, Maneuver Division, San Antonio, Texas, until July 21, 1911, and at Fort Riley until September 20, 1911. He was then ordered to Paris, France, where he attended the Ecole de L'Intendance (the French Army School of Supply) until December 15, 1912.[2]
Holbrook was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, until April 4, 1916, and was then a quartermaster at Fort Riley, until July 1916. In 1916, he served with General John J. Pershing's Mexican Expeditionary Forces, as commander of the bakeries. This was the first use of the army field oven, which he had invented. He was promoted to major on July 1, 1916.
From January 27, 1921, to May 4, 1922, Holbrook served as assistant chief of staff for supply, Ninth Corps Area; and as chief of staff, Ninth Corps Area until June 30, 1924. After this assignment, he became the chief of staff, Non-Divisional Group, Organized Reserve Corps, Ninth Corps Area, until June 30, 1925; and inspector, Ninth Corps Area, until October 19, 1925. He was promoted to brigadier general on October 20, 1925.[2]
For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As commander of the six battalions of Artillery and the 1st Field Artillery Brigade, he, with great distinction, directed the artillery support of the 1st Division in the attacks on Cantigny and the Soissons salient. His careful judgment and high military attainments where shown in the accuracy and timeliness of the fire from the batteries under his direction, which despite the difficulties involved, contributed materially to the success of the operation.
Franklin Rayle Coffin, born on May 2, 1901. Advancing to the rank of major general, he retired in December 1955. On May 7, 1927, he married Virginia Howell of Trenton, New Jersey, born on January 8, 1902. They are the parents of, Franklin Coffin Holbrook, who attained the rank of first lieutenant. He married Nancy Bascom Palmer and they had two children: Palmer Lee, and Franklin Rayle Coffin Holbrook, II.
John Ames, born on October 26, 1903. He became a captain in the United States Navy and retired. On August 8, 1952, he married Barbara Barber of Berkeley, California. By a previous marriage, he was the father of, John Ames Jr., born on April 1, 1936.
Lucius Roy, born July 30, 1906. He held the rank of lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force. On July 16, 1934, he married Mary Gertrude Sutterle in Shanghai, China. They had two children: Lucius Roy, 3rd, born January 4, 1944; and Marilyn Sutterle, born September 7, 1948.
^ abcdefghiWho Was Who in American History - the Military. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1975. p. 262. ISBN0837932017.
^Holbrook, Lucius R., and Patrick Dunne. Handling the Straight Army Ration and Baking Bread. A Practical Manual for Army Cooks, Mess Stewards, and Post Bakers, in Field or in Garrison and on the March; for Company Officers, Post Treasurers and Mess Officers of Troops Aboard Army Transports. Kansas City, Mo: F. Hudson Pub. Co, 1905. OCLC2588126
^Holbrook, Lucius R. The Army Baker: A Manual Prepared for the Use of Students of the Training School for Bakers and Cooks. Fort Riley, Kan: Mounted Service School Press, 1910. OCLC4852640
^Holbrook, Lucius R., and Patrick Dunne. The Mess Sergeant's Handbook. Menasha, Wis: Banta, 1916. OCLC2563418
^Holbrook, Lucius Roy. The Mess Officer's Assistant. Fort Leavenworth [Kan.]: U.S. Cavalry Association, 1917. OCLC8944798
^ abcdeWho Was Who in American History - the Military. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1975. p. 263. ISBN0837932017.