On 7th June 1944, Corporal A. Brookes (869570), a Balloon Operator of No. 974 R.A.F. Beach Balloon Squadron was killed by a German mine which exploded while he was carrying out his balloon duties. His body could not be recovered immediately as the incident occurred in an extensive minefield.
Archibald Brookes, from Sheffield, was 41 years old and served with No. 52 Beach Balloon Flight (one of the two Flights in No. 974 Beach Balloon Squadron) in the NAN Sector of the JUNO Assault Area in Normandy.
The records on No. 2 R.A.F. Beach Squadron, which had administrative responsibility for 974 Beach Balloon Squadron state that his body was recovered from the minefield and buried on 20th June. However, evidence suggests that it was his body that was recovered by a party from 262nd Field Company, Royal Engineers on 11th June.
262nd Field Company was commanded by Major C.B. Stone. The Company H.Q landed on NAN WHITE beach, at Bernières-sur-Mer, together with No.1 Platoon (commanded by Lt. Roy Gibson) at H+20. on D-Day. Their war diary notes:
11 June 1944. Party consisting of Lt. Gibson, C.S.M. Thomas, Sjt. Dickinson and several Sappers make lane through anti-personnel minefield to reach body of R.A.F. Corporal. On the way back the C.S.M. and Lt. Gibson trod on undetected mines and suffered severe leg injuries. Mine thought to be a wooden Schu-mine.
Lt. Roy Gibson was awarded the M.C (London Gazette, 19 October 1944). His citation states:
From the time he landed during the first hour of D Day until 11 June when he was wounded … On the 11 June he led a small party into an anti-personnel minefield to bring out the body of an RAF Cpl and was wounded by the explosion of an undetected mine; Although in tremendous pain he insisted on remaining in charge and directed the removal of the body and his coolness and cheerfulness were an example to all his men.
Major Stone, the Company C.O. recorded in his diary:
Awful business about 11 June, Roy [Gibson] with CSM [Thomas] and Sjt. Dickinson go into minefield near H.Q. to get out the body of R.A.F. corporal. Roy and CSM both tread on Schu-mine and suffer leg injuries and are sent back to UK.; starting their journey in a DUKW.
It is not likely, and no evidence has come to light, that any R.A.F. Corporal other than Archibald Brookes had their body recovered from a minefield in the JUNO assault area. This means that the Operations Record Book of No. 2 RAF Beach Squadron, has got the date wrong when it states that the body of Cpl. Brookes was recovered from the minefield and buried on 20th June. This is not surprising as these records are often typed up later and prone to mistakes.
No. 974 Beach Balloon Squadron did not have its own H.Q. and was attached for administrative purposes to No. 2 R.A.F. Beach Squadron. Not having the H.Q. personnel to help the Balloon Squadron C.O. keep a separate Operations Record Book, it was left to No. 2 R.A.F. Beach Squadron H.Q. to include information about the Balloon Squadron in their own Operations Record Book. Being more concerned with their own affairs, reference to Balloon Squadron matters was minimal – another factor that may have contributed to what does seem to be an error with the date.
It seems more likely that the body was recovered after 4 days, on 11th June, rather than 13 days later on 20th June. In which case, it is a shame that the O.R.B. of 2 Beach Squadron has not only got the date wrong but fails to mention the bravery and sacrifice of the recovery party from 262nd Field Company, Royal Engineers.
Archie Brookes was the son of Albert and Amy Brookes, of Sheffield. Originally buried in Bernières-sur-Mer, he was re-buried in Bayeux War Cemetery on 26th December 1944. (Plot: V. D. 8).
Many thanks to David Thomas, who has researched the history of 262nd Field Company, Royal Engineers and supplied the information about the recovery of the R.A.F. Corporal’s body.
Other sources:
The Operations Record Book of No. 2 Beach Unit (Later) No. 2 R.A.F. Beach Squadron including Nos. 76 and 77 Beach Units, May 1943 – Sep 1944 – found in, ‘Air Ministry and Ministry of Defence: Operations Record Books, Miscellaneous Units’ AIR 29/438 at The National Archives
Corporal Archibald Brookes | War Casualty Details 2955615 | CWGC