The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. R W Brookman

Richard Waller Brookman was born at Waitara, New Zealand on 24th November 1912, the son of Harold and Margaret Brookman.

He was educated at New Plymouth Boys' High School and Wellington College and was employed as a commercial traveller after graduating.

Brookman volunteered for aircrew duties at the end of September 1939 and was accepted as a trainee Observer. He completed the ground course at Weraroa and went on to flying training at the Air Observers School at Ohakea. Brookman sailed for the United Kingdom in the RMS Rangitata on 6th June 1940.

Soon after arrival he was posted to 17 OTU Upwood and on 2nd October he joined 106 (Bomber) Squadron at Finningley. After ten days he was posted to 235 Squadron at Bircham Newton.

On 22nd February 1941 Brookman was in Blenheim IV T1803 LA-D on a patrol over the coast of Denmark. While attacking a He111 thirty miles west of Borkum, the Blenheim was hit by return fire and crashed into the sea. Brookman, Sgt. GC Pavitt and Sgt. DS Wallis were reported Missing.

Brookman is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 63.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.