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RGJ Association -> THIS BOARD IS NOW FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY. CLICK ON RGJ ASSOCIATION TO RETURN TO NEW IN MEMORIAM FORUM. -> The Royal Green Jackets In Memorium Board -> Corporal Jeremy Brookes
Post Info TOPIC: Corporal Jeremy Brookes
Steve Kinrade

Date:
Corporal Jeremy Brookes
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Corporal Jeremy Brookes, 4 Rifles, was killed on operations in Iraq on 21st May 2007.

Funeral Arrangements

The funeral will take place on Friday 8th June 2007 commenceing at 12 noon:

All Saints Church
2 Vicarage Road
KIngs Heath
Birmingham
B14 7RA

Cpl Brookes will be buried at

Kings Norton Cemetary
Lonsdales Road
Kings Norton
Birmingham
B38 9BU

A reception which all are welcome to attend will be held at:

The Officers Mess
202 (Midlands Field Hospital)
Dawberry Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 6NY




 

Corporal Jeremy Brookes


Corporal Brookes, known as 'Jez' to his friends, was born on 19 October 1978 in Birmingham where he grew up. He enlisted in the British Army in February 2001, serving with 2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets.  In February 2007, The Royal Green Jackets merged with three other regiments, forming The Rifles, of which his battalion became the 4th Battalion.


Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Sanders, the Commanding Officer of 4th Battalion The Rifles said of him:



"Corporal Brookes was an inspirational and much loved figure in the 4th Battalion The Rifles. An outstanding Rifleman, a charismatic and natural leader, a sportsman of exceptional talent and determination, and a warm, wickedly funny and generous man, he was in all respects larger than life and an example to us all. He was incapable of doing anything by half-measures and lived his life to the full, constantly seeking new challenges to overcome. I never saw him admit defeat in anything and his determination, vigour and sheer zest for life was a personal inspiration.

"Last year he returned from the Sahara Desert where he had just completed, in an exceptional time, the notoriously demanding Marathon Des Sables. Still hobbling on nearly raw feet, but looking lean, tanned and wiry, he came to see me and said 'Right, done that! What's next?' He settled on a 300km Arctic Marathon as his next challenge intending to fit it in after our tour in Iraq. That was the kind of man he was and we are each of us better men for having known him.


"His death as a result of enemy action in Basra City is a tragic loss to all of us Riflemen in 4th Battalion The Rifles and above all to his friends and family to whom we extend our deepest sorrow and sympathy; our thoughts and prayers are with them at this terrible time. He died leading his beloved Riflemen in battle, inspiring, cajoling and striving for ever better standards to the last. He led by personal example and was one of the finest Non Commissioned Officers I have ever had the privilege and pleasure to serve with. He died doing what he loved and in life and in the manner of his death he set us all the very highest example of service to others, courage, decency, self-sacrifice and utter commitment.

"We will miss him dearly and will try each day to live up to his legacy. But above all, and though we grieve, we celebrate his life and are so very proud to have served alongside him."



"I never saw him admit defeat in anything and his determination, vigour and sheer zest for life was a personal inspiration."

Lt Col Patrick Sanders, Commanding Officer, 4th Battalion The Rifles


Major James Bryant, the Officer Commanding of Cpl Brook's Company, R Company, said of him.

"Corporal Brookes, Jez, was one of the most professional soldiers and junior commanders I have had the real pleasure of serving with. He was uncompromisingly professional, loved his job and was the epitome of what a Section Commander should be. He was exceptionally thorough, volunteered for everything and commanded and led by example. Perhaps his hallmark was his extraordinarily high standards. Corporal Brookes had been looking forward to this tour for a long time; he saw it as the realisation of his training and service.

"He had a very direct approach. He ticked and whinged to an impressive standard, but we all loved him it was just him! He was a straight talker and unafraid to let you know what he thought. I suspect that much of it was because he expected others to be as professional as himself and because he hated to see his Riflemen mucked around.

"He was a quick, bright and ambitious Brum who harboured a wish to become an Apache helicopter pilot, though I think that he would have been perfectly happy commanding his section for ever he was at his best when leading his Riflemen in tough conditions and he always seemed to just come out on top. He referred to section commanding as his time for 'wearing his smoking jacket and chilling out' but his work displayed that he was doing anything but.

"He was a wildly keen DIYer and, if one were to believe him, one could have come to the conclusion that he had built his entire house from scratch!  He loved his dogs and despite a rather clapped out Ford Mondeo professed a keen interest in cars!  But running was his 'thing' and he achieved a lifetime ambition last year in running the Marathon des Sables in North Africa.  As was typical of him, he completed this gruelling race with a grim determination and will to succeed. Corporal Brookes was a genuine character, he was the right man for a tight spot and was right at the heart of what makes R Company tick. His loss is tragic and deeply felt, but he would have been exactly the man to rise up and continue the challenge had it been another rifleman. R Company will miss him sorely. SWIFT and BOLD."

Corporal Rizzer Smith, a colleague, said:

"Since Iraq came up, Jez was my battle partner. We would cover each other and no matter what would do our tasks together. He was always for his blokes."

Rifleman Brett Campbell, Corporal Brookes' driver, said:

"In this action, as ever, he thought of everyone else but himself first. He told me and the top cover sentries to get down into cover, covering us as we did so. His selfless commitment was legendary."

His friend Lance Corporal Steve Pallett said:

"Even when he was being serious he used to laugh. He'd do anything for you. King Jez was never wrong. He was just a character you'd never get another Brooksy."

Adam Ingram, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, said:

"I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Corporal Brookes' family, friends, and colleagues. Our Service personnel are doing an incredible job in Iraq and the loss of such a dedicated and professional soldier is particularly sad news - Corporal Brookes' fine service to our country will not be forgotten."

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Malcolm (Don)Donnison

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I didn't know Jerry Brookes, but he has done his job and paid the highest price, Rest in peace commrade in arms, sincere condolences to all his family and friends. Another important life lost.
At the going down of the sun we will remember him.

Malcolm Don Donnison

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Bill Netcher

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Corporal J Brookes             RIP and my condolences to His Family.      How Many More and For What.
Sad Very Sad

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keith kneller

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My Sincere and Heartfelt Condolences go to the Family and Friends of Corporal Jeremy Brookes of 4th Rifles!

You have done your job Jeremy!   RIP!!


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Roy J Hurley

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It saddens me to read of the passing of another one of our fold, who has given the ultimate sacrifice.
Even though I did not know you, my glass is raised to you brother Rifleman. You will not be forgotten as those that have gone before you will not be forgotten. You are in great company.
My condonloences to the family and friends of Cpl Jeremy Brookes. Your sacrifice has not been in vain.

Freedom comes from the brave who are prepared to hold back nothing and in return give everything.

Stand Ready Brothers!

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alan cole

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To the family of cpl, Jeremy Brookes 4th Rifles we are all saddened at his and your loss
we as an association all salute him Swift & Bold we shall remember him and all our fellow
comrades before him Alan Cole ex 2 RGJ

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Steve Savage

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My sincere condolences go to the family and friends of Cpl Jeremy Brookes. 

Rest in peace

Steve Savage

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Deputy Webmaster

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Another of our family has fallen and our Condolences go to his family and friends.
Many of us have lost comrades in action but this family is unique and we all feel the sadness and loss when a life is snuffed out, especially by the ones we are sent to protect.
Cpl Brookes loss will not be in vain and his name not forgotten and justice will prevail.
A thoughtless war by thoughtless politicians at the cost of brave mens lives.

Celer et Audax

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George Herbert

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Our thoughts go out to the family of corporal JEREMY BROOKES . We lost a few good men in N.I. What for,will this so called WAR end the same way.


GEORGE



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Jim Stokes

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Rest in peace


My heart goes out to your family.



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David Askew

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If we had politicians that were half as good at their jobs as this Rfn was at his - maybe there would be fewer wars.
Deepest condolences to Jeremy's family, friends and close comrades.

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Chalkie Parfitt

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My deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Cpl Jeremy 'Jez' Brookes 4 Rifles. I did not know Jeremy but he was a brother Rifleman and as such, his loss is keenly felt.  Another gone to join the great muster.
 Rest In Peace Jeremy.

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Mitch29

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R.I.P.

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shady/lane

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We over here in Gibraltar would like to send our condolences to his family,we did not know corporal Brooks but he was part off a big family. R.I.P

bryan lane, mark bates, ian nuttle all 3 RGJ

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John Brown 3 RGJ

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A fellow brummie, and fellow rifleman god bless.
Deepest sympothy to your friends and family

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Martin Lile

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Whilst not knowing Jeremy, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his family, friends and all Rifleman that will miss him so much. Having read the moving tributes about him, there is no doubt in my mind that he did not serve his country in vain, but he paid the ultimate price. He now joins a Band of Brothers, made up of many great characters. Rest in Peace Jeremy.

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Tom Connolly Ex 3RGJ

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 To the family and comrades and friends of Cpl Brookes I would like to send my condolences.This is so sad, why are we still out there. God Bless you all

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beggers

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I AM AGAIN SORRY TO HEAR WE HAVE LOST YET ANOTHER GOOD MAN AND WISH TO SEND MY AND MY FAMILYS CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY

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Brian Shanahan EX 1RGJ

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Once again my heart goes out to the family of this fine Rifleman. Another one of the chosen few has pain the ultimate sacrifice and we are all proud to call him brother. RIP Jeremy Brookes . You truly were Swift and Bold unlike the Prime Minister and this cowardly goverment who should hang thier heads in shame. 
How many more Tony Blair?  

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Rifleman Gerard Navickas ex 2 RGJ

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I served with Brooksy in 9 PLT, RCOY, 2 RGJ and he was a great lad.He looked after his blokes and wouldn't ask the boys to do anything he wasn't prepared to do himself.He will be sadly missed and I am proud to have served in 'SHINY 9' with him,rest in peace mate

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Tim Marsh

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Such a sad loss for the greenjacket family, also a very sad loss for his family.


WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

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Joni Waqavonovono

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Rest in Peace Jez' its been an honour to have served along side a Rifleman who would give he's life for the Regiment.

Once a rifleman' Always a rifleman....

Small Waqa
Ex 9 pl, R Coy!



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Seb Coe EX 2RGJ mtrs

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Rest in peace God bless,


My heart goes out to you family at this very hard time.

Seb coe.

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lee rider

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so sad, and for what. RIP

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