James Anson Otho BrookeVC (3 February 1884 – 29 October 1914) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Early life and education
Brooke was from a landed gentry family, the eldest of five sons and two daughters of Harry Vesey Brooke, JP, DL, of Fairley, Countesswells, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, who had served as a captain in the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, and Patricia, daughter of James Gregory Moir-Byres, of a landed gentry family of Tonley, Aberdeenshire from which came the architect, antiquary and art dealer James Byres. Brooke's paternal grandfather was Sir Arthur Brinsley Brooke, 2nd Baronet, whose descendant, the 5th Baronet, was created Viscount Brookeborough.[1][2]
Having been promoted to lieutenant in 1907, Brooke was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, British Army, based in India until 1913, then in Egypt until the outbreak of the First World War, when they were ordered to the front, Brooke serving as senior subaltern and assistant adjutant.[5] The following deed took place during the First Battle of Ypres for which he was awarded the VC.
For conspicuous bravery and great ability near Gheluvelt on the 29th October, in leading two attacks on the German trenches under heavy rifle fire and machine gun fire, regaining a lost trench at a very critical moment. He was killed on that day.
By his marked coolness and promptitude on this occasion Lieutenant Brooke prevented the enemy from breaking through our line, at a time when a general counter-attack could not have been organised.[6]
Lieutenant Brooke was posthumously promoted to captain, effective to September 1914.
His name also appears on Aberdeen War Memorial, Colebrook War Memorial, St Ronan's Church Memorial, and Enniskillen War Memorial. A 21 cm mortar he captured is on display at Enniskillen Castle.
A Victoria Cross commemorate stone bearing his name was laid at Kingswells Hall near Aberdeen in October 2014 to mark the centenary of the award. The hall was built with the help of Brooke and the church war memorial sited opposite also bears his name.
^Gerald Gliddon (1994). 1914. Alan Sutton. ISBN9780750905657. Although James Brooke is buried in Belgium his memory is also commemorated at the Springbank Cemetery, Aberdeen, in the family grave. The memorial bears the following inscription: Erected by Captain Harry V. Brooke of Fairley late 92nd ...
