Gerard Broadmead Roope | |
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Born | 13 March 1905 Taunton, Somerset, England |
Died | 8 April 1940 (aged 35) HMS Glowworm, Norwegian Sea, off Trondheim, Norway |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Service/ | ![]() |
Years of service | 1927–1940 |
Rank | Lieutenant Commander |
Commands held | HMS Glowworm |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Victoria Cross War Medal (Norway) |
Lieutenant Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope VC RN (13 March 1905 – 8 April 1940) was a posthumous British recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
A 35-year-old Royal Navy officer, his action was the earliest awarded a Victoria Cross in the Second World War (although the award was not gazetted until after hostilities ended) and is one of very few to have the award justified, in part, from a recommendation and supporting evidence provided by the enemy.