Henry (Harry) Brookes

One of so many ...

Henry 'Harry' Brookes was born in Lymm in 1890, and like so many he started work as a fustian cutter before moving to a job as a gardener for Lymm Hall.  Harry joined the Territorials up at Lymm Drill Hall, a year before the outbreak of war.  After seven months training he was posted to France and in 1915, he wrote to his young wife Kate:

"I can assure you that we are certain to never see any fighting ... England will be on her last legs when she has to put Territorials to fight"

However, Harry was soon thrown into action and his heroic deeds as an stretcher bearer drew praise in many letters home from his Lymm comrades and he was awarded the Russian Medal of Honour for his bravery.

Lance Sergeant Henry Brookes was killed in action on June 18th 1916 aged 26 years