Patrick Guy Brooking | |
---|---|
Born | 4 April 1937 |
Died | 22 January 2014 | (aged 76)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | British Army |
Years of service | 1956–1990 |
Rank | Major-general |
Service number | 448524 |
Commands held |
5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards 33rd Armoured Brigade British Forces in Berlin |
Awards | Companion of the
Order of the Bath Member of the Order of the British Empire |
Major-General Patrick Guy Brooking CB CMG MBE DL (4 April 1937 – 22 January 2014) was a British Army officer who served as commandant of the British Sector in Berlin.
Brooking was born on 4 April 1937. He was educated at Charterhouse School, a public boys boarding school. [1]
As part of National Service, Brooking was commissioned into the Royal Armoured Corps as a second lieutenant on 23 June 1956. [2] On 4 April 1958, he transferred to the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards and was promoted to lieutenant. [3] On 4 April 1964, he was promoted to captain. [4] Having attended the Staff College, Camberley, [1] he was promoted to major on 31 December 1969. [5]
He served with 39th Brigade in Belfast from 1974 to 1975 when he became commanding officer of his regiment. [6] He became an instructor at the Staff College, Camberley, in 1978, [6] Chief of Staff of 4th Armoured Division in 1979 and commander of 33rd Armoured Brigade in 1982. [6] He was appointed assistant chief of staff for UK Land Forces in 1984 and commandant of the British Sector in Berlin in 1985. [6] Finally he became director-general of Army Manning & Recruiting in 1989. [6]
He retired in 1990. [6]
In retirement, Brooking became chairman of the British-German Association, a not-for-profit organisation devoted to forging links between the two countries. [7] He also became deputy lieutenant of Wiltshire, [8] and served as Master of the Worshipful Company of Broderers from 2003 to 2004. [9]
Brooking died on 22 January 2014 at the age of 76. [10]
In 1964 he married Pamala Mary Walford: they went on to have one son and one daughter. [6]
He was known as the 'Singing General' for his involvement in choral music. While stationed in Germany, he sang with the Berlin Philharmonic Choir. [1]
On 25 March 1975, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 'in recognition of distinguished services in Northern Ireland during the period 1 August 1974 to 31 October 1974'. [11] In the 1988 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). [12] In the 1997 New Year Honours, he was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) 'for services to UK-German relations in Berlin'. [13]
He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards on 22 March 1991, [14] transferring on 1 August 1992 [15] following the amalgamation of the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards with the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards [1] to become the first Honorary Colonel of the resultant Royal Dragoon Guards. [15] [16] On 3 February 1997, he became deputy lieutenant (DL) of the County of Wiltshire. [17]