Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Herbert was the fourth of eight children of Alfred Frederick Brookes (b1890 in Cooper Lake, Victoria) and Louisa Sarah Dyson (b1893 in Perth, WA). Alfred was in Guildford WA with his parents by 1903, and was a Farmer when he and Louisa married in Narrogin, WA in 1912. The couple settled in the Margaret River region of WA where Alfred was a Farmer at Metricup near Cowaranup WA before moving their family to Perth WA. Alfred wotked as a Bricklayer.

Herbert was a Woodcutter in Middle Swan WA in November 1941 when he enlisted in the AUstralian Army under his younger brother's name - Bernard Allan - when Bernard enlisted a week earlier, he was under age so had used his brother's name and birthdate. Herbert (Private, Sapper, Driver; Service No:WX17668) served with 7 Bomb Disposal Coy, 22  Mechanical Equipment Park Coy RAE and 52 Field Park Coy. He was in the Northern Territory from September 1943 to November 1944 and was a Sapper attached to 22 Mechanical Equipment Park Coy when he was Discharged in September 1945.

Although Herbert stated in his Attestation Papers that he was married to Mavis Margaret, it was not until 1943 that he was married - to Patricia Ernestine Ive (b1921 in Geraldton, WA) in Perth WA.

Following his Discharge, Herbert and Patricia settled in Perth WA where Herbert worked as a Bricklayer. Herbert died in 1993 and Patricia in 2002.