 His father Norman, who died in a car crash, was a son of Sir George Brookman (1840–1927).David was educated at St Peter's College and Roseworthy College where he gained his Diploma of Agriculture in 1938, and took over his father's farm at Meadows.He served in World War II as an artillery officer in the Middle East and Borneo with the 2nd AIF 2/7 Australian Field Regiment 9th Div.