Gerard Broadmead Roope was an English 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.

Details

He was 35 years old, and a Lieutenant-Commander in the Royal Navy during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 8 April 1940 in the Norwegian Sea, West Ford , Norway, Lieutenant-Commander Roope commanding HMS Glowworm (1,345 tons) fought an unequal duel with the German cruiser Admiral Hipper (10,000 tons). In the encounter Glowworm was soon battered and burning and eventually, as a last gesture of defiance, her commander decided to ram the cruiser, which resulted in a good deal of damage to the latter. Glowworm then fired one more salve, scoring a hit, before she capsized and sank. One officer and 30 men were picked up by Admiral Hipper's captain, but Lieutenant-Commander Roope was drowned.

Further information

First VC winner of the Second World War.

The medal

please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed

Reference

• British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)

See also

External links

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.