EACH year Lymm Heritage Centre sets aside time to create and display a Remembrance window at their premises and this year highlights the personal tragedy of young villager Lance Sgt. Henry “Harry” Brookes.
As well as remembering all those who died the heritage centre, set up on the site of the former British Legion Club, also tells the story of one man to remind people that each of these deaths was a personal tragedy and a huge loss to family and friends.
Life began quietly enough for Henry “Harry” Brookes. Born in Lymm in 1890, like so many he took work after his schooling as a fustian cutter before moving from there to a job as a gardener at 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 but even then could not imagine he would see action at the front. In 1915 he wrote to his young wife Kate.
“I can assure you that we are certain never to see any fighting… England will be on her last legs when she has to put her territorials to fight”.
In fact, Harry was soon thrown into the thick of the action. His heroic deeds as an ambulance man 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.
HENRY “HARRY” BROOKES 1890 – 1916 RIP
The window display
