Paul Wilson Brooks (28 May 1921 – 26 January 1946) was an English cricketer. Brooks was a left-handed batsman who bowled left-arm fast-medium. The son of William James Brooks and Mabel Brooks,^[2] he was born at Marylebone, London.

Prior to appearing in first-class cricket, Wilson had played Second XI cricket for Middlesex,^[3] and on one notable occasion he bowled the Australian Don Bradman in a practice session at Lord's before the 1938 season began, making him a celebrity for a short time.^[4][5][6] The following year he made what was to be his only first-class appearance for Middlesex against Warwickshire in the County Championship at Lord's.^[7] This was the final first-class match played by Middlesex that season, and Brooks was drafted into the team after a number of regular players had been drafted into the armed services due to rising tensions with Germany.^[8] In a match which Middlesex won by an innings and 200 runs, Brooks batted once, scoring an unbeaten 44.^[9]

Military career and death

During the early part of World War II he served in London and Coventry with the National Fire Service during the height of The Blitz.^[6][8] He later served in the Coldstream Guards, reaching the rank of lance corporal.^[2] While fighting in Italy in April 1945, Brooks was wounded in the spine by a sniper.^[8] He never recovered and was bedridden ever after, eventually dying of his injury at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, on the night of 26 January 1946.^[6] He was laid to rest at Brompton Cemetery.^[2]