Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the late Richard Thomas Brooks a coal miner, born 1863 in Heather, Leics., and his widowed wife Jane, born 1858 in Ibstock, Leics. Arthur was born in 1897 in Heather, Leics., his siblings were John, born 1885, Mary E., born 1890, Richard T., born 1893, William, born 1895 and George, born 1897, all his siblings were born in Heather, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Bradley’s Yard, Main Street, Heather, Leics. In April 1911 Arthur was employed as a farm labourer and was residing in the family home at Swepstone Road, Heather, Leics., together with his widowed mother and siblings, Richard, William and George. The citation in the London Gazette dated 25th August 1918 reads:- “Conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attacking a hostile bombing party single handed, killing two and dispersing the remainder. His bombing party were at the time engaged in dealing with a hostile machine gun and team, and he subsequently cleared 150 yards of enemy trench and gained touch with the troops on his right. He set a very fine example of courage to his section.” The War Diary for today records. RED MILL. Accidental gassing of C Coy by ROYAL ENGINEERS, cylinders of gas fell in our line. Casualties 3 officers and 91 other ranks of whom 22 died.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday July 27th, 1917

Two Heather soldiers, Lance-Corporal A. Brooks and Pte. H. W. Grewcock, also Pte. G. Dakin (Coalville) of the Leicestershire Regiment are all reported to have died of wounds.

Coalville Times article - Friday December 21st, 1917.

HEATHER D.C.M. KILLED

Lance-Corporal Arthur Brooks fell in action during the summer offensive. He was 21 years of age. His mother (a widow) resides at Swepstone Road, Heather. Before enlisting, he was apprentice to the butchering business, with Mr T. Bird, of Heather and Ibstock, and he was a well-known member of the Heather Cricket Club. He was also associated with the Heather Wesleyan Church, and was a promising young man, well-respected by all who knew him. His death is a distinct and personal loss to his many friends. He joined the Colours about two years ago. An extract from the “London Gazette” containing the account of his action in winning the D.C.M. is as follows. “Lance Corporal A. Brooks, of the Leicester Regiment. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in attacking a hostile bombing party single-handed, killing two and dispersing the remainder. His bombing party were at the time engaged in dealing with a hostile machine gun and team, and he subsequently cleared 150 yds of enemy trench, and gained touch with the troops on his right. He set a very fine example of courage to his section.”

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 30/11/2017

Photograph of grave marker submitted by C. Goy in 2020