He introduced the use of visual aids in lectures, an idea he developed after a visit to a French School of Instruction. He also started to improve the contents of the course at the school by introducing Young Officers" courses for those who had just joined the Regiment. This was something that had never been done before. Also his great belief in the importance of all arms collaboration led to him bringing in outside lecturers from the other arms and services to talk to the officers, which although common practice now it was an innovation then. He brought about many changes while at Larkhill and was respected by everyone for his abilities, fairness and his deep knowledge of his profession. .
He was not a mixer however; he did not seek popularity and didn't make effort to come into human contact. "A pure and simple soldier as regimental as a button-stick." In his personal life he longed for human contact after the death of his first wife. .
In 1929 he married Benita Lees after a short engagement. They were very much in love and whenever they were apart he would write to her. "I feel that I am wasting life when I miss opportunities of being with you." During the war whenever his days work was complete he would recount the day in a diary which he saw as a record of a nightly conversation with her and an outlet for him. .
Alanbrooke now went on to take up a place as an instructor at the Imperial Defence College. Here he was involved in the study of the higher direction of war. From this post he moved on to take command of the 8th Infantry Brigade in 1934. There had recently been a War Office order restricting Infantry Brigade commands to Infantry Officers. An exception was made for Alanbrooke, whose abilities were already quite evident.
He was soon commanding the Brigade on exercise with little difficulty. Because he had spent long periods of his career as staff or an instructor he had little command experience and so loved the opportunity that this gave him.
