 He was one of the most extensive military writers in the mid to late 19th century.Brackenbury was born on 7 November, 1831 in London, the third son of William Brackenbury (an army veteran wounded at Talavera and Salamanca, and younger brother of Edward Brackenbury) and Maria (nee Atkinson).He became a cadet in July 1847 at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.