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Private L. F. Brooking's War

Our dad, Leslie Francis Brooking, known as "Nobby", served in the Civil Defence in 1939 until June 1940. On 20th June 1940, at the age of 26, he was called up to serve with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, and in December of that year was released for 18 months to carry out war damage repairs. Dad married Mum in June 1941, and was recalled to service in July 1942.

Dad was at the Normandy landings in June 1944 and was shot in action in the July, somewhere near Caen. My mother received a Field Service Post Card dated 2nd August 1944 stating that Dad had been wounded and admitted to hospital. We also still have the original letter, written in pencil, from "A Soldier" in France, dated "Monday, 1944" which reads "Dear Mrs. Brooking, We came across these photos etc by the equipment of a soldier who had been injured and removed. Being of an intimate and private nature I thought it best to return them to you knowing that if the worst has happened you would appreciate them, or if not, and he is progressing favourably, as I most sincerely hope, you can return them to him. Wishing you both the best of luck and a speedy reunion, I remain, A Soldier." What a kind deed by an unknown soldier at a time of conflict!

Dad was eventually shipped home, firstly to hospital in Durham and then on to Leeds, where had had his right arm amputated.

He was discharged from the King's Shropshire Light Infantry on 11th July 1945 - official cause of discharge "ceasing to fulfil Army physical requirements". After some months in rehabilitation he returned home to London.

He kept in touch with quite a few buddies he made during his service in the Army, and our families met annually at the Cenotaph in November each year until the 1980's, and he became a life long member of B.L.E.S.M.A., The British Limbless Ex-Servicemen's Association.

Like a lot of old soldiers, he didn't really talk much about the War, but we did get him to write down just a brief summary of his war years. Dad lived a very full and active life after the War and died in 1998 at the age of 84.

By Pam and Babs

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