Brooker's battle

Malcolm Trigg looks back at another of Surrey’s young men who lost their lives in the Battle of Britain, 80 years ago this summer

Just three days into the Battle of Britain, Surreyborn Richard Brooker claimed his first enemy aircraft, a Ju87 dive bomber. It was to be the first of many kills during a distinguished career.

Brooker, known to his family as “Bill”, was born in Chessington on November 2, 1918, and flew with No 56, a Hurricane squadron, during the Battle of Britain, which began on 10 July, 1940 and was to last until October 31.