Gerald Broadmead Roope
Lieutenant Commander, Royal Navy
- Register No.
- 1081 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant Commander all Lieutenant-Commanders →
- Unit
- Royal Navy (register: HMS Glowworm) all HMS Glowworm VCs →
- Date of action
- 8 April 1940 on this day → all of 1940 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 10th July 1945 on this day → all of 1945 →
- Born
- 13th March 1905 at Hillbrook, Taunton, Somerset
Digest of citation
On 8th April 1940, in the West Fjiord, Norway, H M S Glowworm engaged two enemy destroyers, who broke off the action when one of them was hit. Whilst giving chase, the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, bore down on the Glowworm at high speed. During the engagement, the Glowworm was badly hit, putting one gun out of action and causing her to reduce speed. With all the remaining guns firing she closed on and rammed the Hipper. As she pulled away, she opened fire on the German ship, again scoring a hit. Badly damaged, the smaller ship heeled over and sank. The Hipper picked up 31 survivors. Lieutenant Commander Roope was seen helping survivors to put on their lifejackets. After being thrown a rope from the Hipper, he was unable to hold on and was drowned
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
ROOPE, Gerald Broadmead. (reg No. 1081).
Lieutenant Commander. Royal Navy.
London Gazetted on 10th July 1945.
Born on 13th March 1905 at Hillbrook, Taunton, Somerset. Drowned, after fighting in action, on 8th April 1940 at West Fjiord, Norway. Honoured on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.
Digest of Citation reads: On 8th April 1940, in the West Fjiord, Norway, H M S Glowworm engaged two enemy destroyers, who broke off the action when one of them was hit. Whilst giving chase, the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, bore down on the Glowworm at high speed. During the engagement, the Glowworm was badly hit, putting one gun out of action and causing her to reduce speed. With all the remaining guns firing she closed on and rammed the Hipper. As she pulled away, she opened fire on the German ship, again scoring a hit. Badly damaged, the smaller ship heeled over and sank. The Hipper picked up 31 survivors. Lieutenant Commander Roope was seen helping survivors to put on their lifejackets. After being thrown a rope from the Hipper, he was unable to hold on and was drowned.
Additional information:. Lietenant-Commander Roope was the first person to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War II. (WWII) His Victoria Cross was awarded, posthumously. In a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 12th February 1946, His Majesty King George VI presented it to his widow, who was accompanied by her son, Michael, who was serving as a Cadet in the Royal Navy.
Additional information
Lietenant-Commander Roope was the first person to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War II. (WWII) His Victoria Cross was awarded, posthumously. In a ceremony at Buckingham Palace on 12th February 1946, His Majesty King George VI presented it to his widow, who was accompanied by her son, Michael, who was serving as a Cadet in the Royal Navy.
Drowned, after fighting in action, on 8th April 1940 at West Fjiord,
Norway.
Honoured on Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.
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