BROOKES, Percy

Percy Brookes lived at 15 Bell End, Blackheath, and enlisted in the Worcesters. He was transferred to the 'Ox and Bucks', possibly after returning from injury, and joined the 2nd Garrison Battalion. In 1918 this unit was part of the British forces driven back towards Amiens by the great German Spring offensive of the 21st March. By the end of April the defenders had halted the enemy and the line had been stabilised. In the weeks before the counter-attacks began there was a vicious stalemate with much shelling from both sides. Private Percy Brookes was seriously wounded at this time and was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station near Amiens where he died on the 17th July 1918. He is buried in Picquigny Military Cemetery (F 14) and commemorated on the Blackheath, Halesowen and Rowley Regis Memorials.