Robert St Vincent Sherbrooke
Captain, Royal Navy
- Register No.
- 1138 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- Royal Navy (register: HMS Onslow) all HMS Onslow VCs →
- Date of action
- 31 December 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 12th January 1943 on this day → all of 1943 →
- Born
- 8th January 1901 at Oxton, Newark, Nottinghamshire
- Died
- 13th June 1972 at Oxton, Newark, Nottinghamshire
- Memorial / grave
- at St Peter and St Paul's churchyard, Oxton, Nottinghamshire
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
On the morning of 31st December, 1942, Captain Sherbrooke, of HMS Onslow, was the senior officer commanding the escorting destroyers on an important convoy to North Russia, when contact was made with a far superior force, including the heavy German Cruiser Hipper, that was attempting to sink the convoy. Captain Sherbrooke led the attack and closed with the enemy. The enemy force made four attacks on the convoy, each time being forced to withdraw, hiding behind a smokescreen to avoid being torpedoed. He forced them out of range, towards our covering forces. HMS Onslow was hit and Captain Sherbrooke, although wounded in the face and eye, continued to instruct his ships until the Onslow, severely damaged, forced him to disengage. Placing the command to another senior officer, he took time to have his wounds dressed, but insisted on being kept in touch with the action
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SHERBROOKE, Robert St Vincent. (reg No. 1138).
Captain. Royal Navy.
London Gazetted on 12th January 1943.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 8th January 1901 at Oxton, Newark, Nottinghamshire.
Died on 13th June 1972 at Oxton, Newark, Nottinghamshire.
Memorial on grave at St Peter and St Paul's churchyard, Oxton, Nottinghamshire.
Digest of Citation reads: On the morning of 31st December, 1942, Captain Sherbrooke, of HMS Onslow, was the senior officer commanding the escorting destroyers on an important convoy to North Russia, when contact was made with a far superior force, including the heavy German Cruiser Hipper, that was attempting to sink the convoy. Captain Sherbrooke led the attack and closed with the enemy. The enemy force made four attacks on the convoy, each time being forced to withdraw, hiding behind a smokescreen to avoid being torpedoed. He forced them out of range, towards our covering forces. HMS Onslow was hit and Captain Sherbrooke, although wounded in the face and eye, continued to instruct his ships until the Onslow, severely damaged, forced him to disengage. Placing the command to another senior officer, he took time to have his wounds dressed, but insisted on being kept in touch with the action.
Additional information:. Rear Admiral Sherbrooke was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB), and held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He was the son of Captain Henry and Flora Maud (nee Francklyn) Sherbrooke of Oxton Hall, Newark, Notts. He married Rosemary Neville in 1929 and had two daughters. He received his Victoria Cross from King George VI at Buckingham Palace in June 1943. Further research required.
Additional information
Rear Admiral Sherbrooke was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB), and held the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He was the son of Captain Henry and Flora Maud (nee Francklyn) Sherbrooke of Oxton Hall, Newark, Notts. He married Rosemary Neville in 1929 and had two daughters. He received his Victoria Cross from King George VI at Buckingham Palace in June 1943. Further research required.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at St Peter and St Paul's churchyard, Oxton, Nottinghamshire
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.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Robert St Vincent Sherbrooke by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.