Major David Arthur Brockhurst (LGS Class of 1950)
Major David Arthur Brockhurst passed away peacefully following a short illness on 22 April 2024. He attended Loughborough Grammar School between 1943 and 1950 during which time he featured in the Loughburian on subjects including the Film Club (Huckleberry Finn was a firm favourite that year) and the 1950 LGS Mock Election.
Upon leaving School he served in the Royal Corp of Signals from 1951-1978, first as a National Serviceman and converting to a Regular Commission in 1953. During his 27 years, he served in a variety of Royal Signals regiments with worldwide postings including Germany, South East Asia, South America and Bahrain.
He recalled many memorable occasions during his military career but two had special significance, firstly the relief work following the 1953 East Coast Flood stretching from Lincolnshire to Canvey Island. Secondly, more relief work in 1961 but this time in Singapore when a horrendous fire resulted in over 10,000 locals becoming homeless.
The fact that David recalls these relief efforts as memorable occasions above all others in his career would come as no surprise to those who knew him well. On Monday 20 May at Gilroes Crematorium in Leicester, relatives and friends gathered to celebrate his life and the overwhelming theme of those who shared their memories of David were of his absolute generosity and kindness. Those gathered also recalled David’s passion for exotic cuisines and his desire to share that passion with others, no doubt developed during his numerous military postings overseas.
Throughout his life, David remained a passionate supporter of Loughborough Grammar School, attending alumni events and regularly returning to campus to support concerts and the CCF Annual Review. In 2019, David gifted his sword to the Combined Cadet Force and it became The Brockhurst Sword. The sword was manufactured by Wilkinson Sword and purchased in 1969 when David joined the 11th Signal Regiment to command the Recruit Training Squadron. David had the sword refurbished prior to donating it to the School and since then, it has been used annually in the CCF Annual Review. This year’s annual review came just 2 weeks after David’s death and he was remembered by all in attendance with The Brockhurst Sword being paraded through the gathered contingent carried by our King’s cadet, Joe.
We were honoured to take 2 cadet representatives of the Combined Cadet Force to meet David’s friends and family at his funeral. Rest in peace Major David Arthur Brockhurst.
