Walter J Brooks was born in 1893 in Dunstable. 1 of 13 children born to Albert & Emma.

In 1901. Walter J is 7 years old. He is living at 27 Grove Road, Luton a 6 roomed house. His father Albert is 46 & working as a furnace stoker at the dye works & mother Emma, 42 is working at home as a straw hat sewer. 8 of his siblings are also living with him, Ada is 24 years old & working as a straw hat machinist, Arthur 19 is a straw hat machine fitter & John 17 is working at Midland Railway as a greaser. Henry is 13 years old & working as an errand boy. His younger siblings are 11 year old Fred, 7 year old Gertrude, 5 year old Sidney & Percival who is 2. They also have a boarder, 12 year old Nellie Dyer.

On 14th October 1902 His father Albert died & left Emma widowed with a large family to look after.

In 1911 Walter was living at the Crownhill Barracks, Plympton St Mary in Devon. He was a private in the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Forresters.

Walter was serving in India when war broke out, so was sent back to the UK with his battalion. Whilst on the ship he had an accident, so was invalided home to recover but rejoined his battalion at the front in January 1915 where he fought in the battle of Neuve Chapelle.

Walter was discharged on 29th November 1916 as no longer fit. He survived the war & married May Wright in 1919. He was widowed in 1922 & married Ethel G A Gilbert later that year.

An article in the Luton News on 8th April 1915 titled ' Six Sons Serving' was written about Emma Brooks (misspelt Brookes) & 6 of her 9 sons all doing their duty in the war, Albert, John, Sidney, Fred, Percival & Walter. Henry & William also served their country.