Nevill Hamilton Brooke was born in Blenheim, New Zealand. His father was a professional soldier and Nevill's early family life was spent in various countries including India and Australia.

He was educated at Canberra Grammar, and Palmerston North Boys' High School, and then undertook his medical training at Otago Medical School. It was during his time there that he joined the Otago University Medical Corp and later served as a volunteer medical officer in the Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corp with the rank of major. Following graduation he spent 3 years at Wellington Hospital, and then a year in Winton, Southland as a General Practitioner. His post graduate training was in Edinburgh and London, and his time spent there, together with his earlier experience as a GP, made him well suited to become a general physician. He was appointed as a consultant physician at Palmerston North Hospital and also entered private practice in the same capacity.

A few years later he developed a special interest in Cardiology and assisted in the development and ongoing management of the Coronary Care Unit at the hospital. When in later years, new physician appointments to the hospital had specific specialist training and qualifications, Nevill continued to remain very much a generalist, a situation of which he was very proud and he was always able to hold his own with any physician in any specialty.

As chairman of the Manawatu Division of the British Medical Association, he always maintained a firm control of meetings and he also served a term as chairman of the Palmerston North Hospital Combined Medical Staff. NeviII enjoyed meeting colleagues at College events and meetings of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. Throughout his career, he was always very courteous to his patients earning their respect and gaining their confidence. His particular skill was in diagnosis, which was immensely useful for the expert opinions he was called upon to give for life insurance companies.

In 1952, he married Janet Low, whose father was Dr D C Low of Nelson. They had 5 children: 3 sons and 2 daughters. Janet was a truly supportive wife who also shared his interests in golf, tennis and gardening.