George Cross Recipient. Victor Brookes rose to the rank of Sergeant, and on April 1, 1918 he was the leader of the stretcher-bearers when Private Forrester was awarded a Military Medal. On June 30, 1918, he was called to the village of Belloy-sur-Somme on June 30, 1918. An RAF Corporal was trapped in a huge crater after a German aircraft had dropped a bomb. Carbon monoxide gas had formed at the bottom of the crater, leaving the man dangerously ill. Despite knowing the risks, two men, Private Arthur Johnson and Driver Alfred Horn, attempted to remove the corporal, but both were overcome with the fumes. Despite witnessing this, Brookes volunteered to go into the pit. Unsurprisingly, he was also overcome with the fumes and had to be dragged clear. The incident left two men dead and Brookes hospitalized.
George Cross Recipient. Victor Brookes rose to the rank of Sergeant, and on April 1, 1918 he was the leader of the stretcher-bearers when Private Forrester was awarded a Military Medal. On June 30, 1918, he was called to the village of Belloy-sur-Somme on June 30, 1918. An RAF Corporal was trapped in a huge crater after a German aircraft had dropped a bomb. Carbon monoxide gas had formed at the bottom of the crater, leaving the man dangerously ill. Despite knowing the risks, two men, Private Arthur Johnson and Driver Alfred Horn, attempted to remove the corporal, but both were overcome with the fumes. Despite witnessing this, Brookes volunteered to go into the pit. Unsurprisingly, he was also overcome with the fumes and had to be dragged clear. The incident left two men dead and Brookes hospitalized.
Bio by: Paul Barnett
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