Robert Sherbrooke
Robert St. Vincent Sherbrooke (VC, CB, DSO) (Oxton 8 January 1901 - Oxton 13 June 1972) 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. His name appears to be given as Rupert St Vincent Sherbrooke on his gravestone and at http://www.victoriacross.org/.
Details
He was 41 years old, and a Captain in the Royal Navy during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 31 December 1942 off North Cape, Norway in the Barents Sea, Captain Sherbrooke in HMS Onslow was senior officer in command of destroyers escorting an important convoy for North Russia, when he made contact with a vastly superior enemy force. Four times the enemy tried to attack the convoy but was forced back each time. Early in the action Captain Sherbrooke was seriously wounded in the face and temporarily blinded. Nevertheless he continued to direct the ships under his command and even when the next senior officer had assumed control, he insisted on receiving all reports of the action until the convoy was out of danger.
Further information
He later achieved the rank of Rear-Admiral.
References
- British VCs of World War 2 (John Laffin, 1997)
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
External links
- Captain R.S.V. Sherbrooke in The Art of War exhibition at the UK National Archives
- Rear-Admiral Robert St. Vincent Sherbrooke (brief biography)
- Location of grave and VC medal (Nottinghamshire)
This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.