Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Albert Brookes a railway porter, born 1877 in Loughborough, Leics., and his wife Rosa, born 1878 in Crick, Northants. Alec was born in 1895 in Loughborough, Leics., his siblings were James T., born 1897 and Gertrude A., born 1900, both his siblings were born in Loughborough, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at 5, Railway Terrace, Loughborough, Leics. In April 1911 Alec was employed as a hosiery needle maker and was residing in the family home at 26, Burder Street, Loughborough, Leics., together with his father, now a crane driver, his mother and siblings, James, Gertrude, Laura S., born 1902, Ernest A., born 1904, Dorothy S., born 1906 and George F., born 1910, the latter four siblings were all born in Loughborough, Leics. On Thursday February 1st 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR” - (A photograph accompanied the article). Pte. A. Brookes, Durham L.I., reported wounded and missing since Sept. 25. 1916. Parents live at 19, Garendon Street, Leicester. The War Diary for today records. At 11.12am orders were received that the attack would shortly be renewed on both banks. In the meantime enemy’s line was subjected to bombardment from 28th Bty ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY. Orders were received to renew the attack at 2.00pm, the Battn moving forward as soon as 53rd SIKHS were seen to leave their trenches. The 92nd PUNJABIS had now been attached to the Bde to support the attack on the left of the Battn. A and B Coy’s advanced in short sharp rushes, supported by C Coy, D Coy being kept close up in reserve under cover. The advance progressed in spite of very strong opposition and D Coy was thrown in, the whole Battn finally carrying out the assault successfully over about 300 yards. Two of the Battn machine guns pushed along the nullah X Y towards X, greatly assisted the advance in first enfilading Turkish trench P and later distributing their fire along trench Q. The Battn was splendidly supported throughout by one section of the 28th Bty ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY, the F.O.O. advancing with his telephone immediately in rear of the Battn. The enemy’s trenches were occupied and quickly put in a state of defence, while, from both ends of these trenches a line of entrenchments was extended for some considerable distance, the left flank being well turned back. About 80 prisoners were taken by the Battn, and a large quantity of rifles, ammunition, equipment etc. Many dead and wounded Turks were found in the trenches. The Battn buried 62 enemy dead on its section of trenches. Enemy sniped to some extent during the night from our left flank. The following casualties among officers occurred during this days operations. Officers killed Lt DOWDING and Lt ROYCE. Wounded Capt SUTHERLAND, 2nd Lt BILLINGS, 2nd Lt BELLE and 2nd Lt BUCKINGHAM. Other ranks killed and wounded on operations of the 6th and 7th January totalled 303.