British Legion remembrance collection for former Banbury mayor

Donations can be made at the town hall until Friday, February 23. Mr Brooks’ widow Audrey has asked that all money raised should go to the Royal British Legion’s Banbury branch.

Mr Brooks died in his native Anguilla on February 1 after a short illness. He was 84.

Before moving to Banbury Mr Brooks served in the British Army’s Royal Ordnance Corps for 26 years and was a keen supporter of the RBL.

Leader of the town council and president of the local RBL Kieron Mallon said: “A collection for the Royal British Legion is a fitting tribute for John. He was proud of his distinguished military career and I know this is something he would have wanted.”

Mr Brooks was a town councillor from 2000 to 2008 and became the town's first black mayor in 2005.

While in the army he began endurance walking and in 1974 he began with a 75-mile trek over 18 hours for the NSPCC. He went on to raise more than £40,000 for good causes including Save the Children.

He was in the Guinness Book of Records for walking the longest distance in the shortest time.

Mr Brooks was awarded the British Empire Medal in 1976, and in 1984 he moved to Banbury and bought Brooklands Nursing Home which he ran until 2005.

In addition to his council and other work, he was a town magistrate from 1986 to 2005.