James Anson Otho Brooke
Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion The Gordon Highlanders
- Register No.
- 126 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion The Gordon Highlanders all Gordon Highlanders VCs →
- Date of action
- 29 October 1914 on this day → all of 1914 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 18th February 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- 3rd February 1884 at Newhills, Aberdeen, Scotland
- Died
- 29th October 1914 near Gheluvelt, Belgium. (killed in
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Belgium
- Medal held by
- the Gordon Highlanders Museum
Digest of citation
On 29th October 1914 near Gheluvelt, Belgium, Lieutenant Brooke led two attacks on the German trenches under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, regaining a loss trench at a very critical moment. By his marked coolness 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. Having regained the lost trench, he went back to bring up supports, and while doing so, was killed
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
BROOKE, James Anson Otho. (reg No. 126).
Lieutenant 2nd Battalion The Gordon Highlanders.
London Gazetted on 18th February 1915.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Gordon Highlanders Museum.
Born on 3rd February 1884 at Newhills, Aberdeen, Scotland.
Died on 29th October 1914 near Gheluvelt, Belgium. (killed in action).
Memorial at Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Belgium.
Digest of Citation reads: On 29th October 1914 near Gheluvelt, Belgium, Lieutenant Brooke led two attacks on the German trenches under heavy rifle and machine-gun fire, regaining a loss trench at a very critical moment. By his marked coolness 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. Having regained the lost trench, he went back to bring up supports, and while doing so, was killed
action).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Belgium
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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