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

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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.