4123596 Corporal Dennis Lionel Brookes was born on 25^th September 1915, son of Robert Brookes and Betsy Ann Brookes (née Dennis) in Barnsley, Yorskshire.

The 1921 census of England and Wales records Dennis as the fifth of 6 children living in the family household with their parents, Robert and Betsy. At this time, both Dennis's father and eldest brother were listed as being out of work miners who had been working for The Old Silkstone Colliery Company, Dodworth, Yorkshire.

He initially enlisted on 22^nd August 1935, long before the start of World War 2.

Serving with B Company of the 11^th Parachute Battalion Dennis fought at the Battle of Arnhem during Operation Market Garden in September 1944. He was wounded in his left leg when captured on 25^th September 1944. Following this, he was taken to Stalag XIIA Limburg, arriving there on 27^th September. He remained there until 7^th October 1944, and was then taken to Stalag IIA Neubrandenburg.I.Mecki, where he remained until 29^th April 1945.

Dennis appears to have been subjected to German attempts at propaganda exercises. In his post-release debrief questionnaire, Dennis was asked whether he had been interrogated after capture. He replied:
"Yes,on September 44 in a Luftwaffe HQ and at Limburg by the Luftwaffe NCOs. Trying to elicit sympathy for German cause in battle against communism."

Dennis was discharged on 22^nd March 1946. Around the same time he married Blanche G. Allard in Leicester.

When awarded his war medals on 10^th December 1948 he was living at 21 Glenfield Crescent, Glenfield, Leicester.

On November 11^th 1963, Dennis spent Remembrance Day in a somewhat unusual way. Together with a friend he was found poaching near Belvoir Castle in Lincolnshire. At this time he was still living in Glenfield Crescent, Leicester and working as a miner.

He died on 27^th March 1979 in Glenfield, Leicester.

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