| Brooke | Victor Reginald | | Lieutenant | BROOKE, VICTOR REGINALD, Lieutenant, was born at 53, Eaton Square, London, 22 January 1873, son of Sir Victor Alexander Brooke, Baronet, and Alice Sophia, daughter of Sir Alan Bellingham, Baronet. He joined the 9th Lancers 12 December 1894; became Lieutenant 29 April, 1896, and went to South Africa at the beginning of the Boer War (1899-1902). He took part in the Advance on Kimberley, including the actions at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River and Magersfontein; in the Relief of Kimberley; the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg; actions at Poplar Grove and Karee Siding. He was one of the first of our men to be wounded, and in a diary picked up off a wounded Boer was set down the enemy's regret that so good a friend and fighter had been, as they thought, killed. He returned to England to recover from his wounds, and had to have a finger removed. He passed the Staff College in the autumn; became Captain 6 May 1901; returned to South Africa in October 1901, as ADC to Lieutenant General Sir Ian Hamilton, Chief of the Staff (9 November 1901, to 11 September 1902). He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901, and 29 July 1902]; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901: "Victor Reginald Brooke, Lieutenant, 9th Lancers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". Captain Brooke became ADC to Lord Kitchener, and served with him in that capacity in India (28 November 1902, to 21 December 1905); and as Assistant Military Secretary from 22 December 1905, to 31 May 1907. He was sent to Kabul with Sir Louis Dane's Mission at the end of 1904, when the Amir of Afghanistan bestowed an Afghan decoration on him. Captain Brooke was given the Brevet of Major 7 June, 1905; accompanied the Amir of Afghanistan on his visit to India, January and February 1907, and was presented with the Afghan Order of Harmat. He was promoted to Major, 9th Lancers, February 1907, and became Temporary Lieutenant Colonel 1 June, 1907, and was Military Secretary to Lord Minto from 1 June, 1907, until Lord Minto left India at the end of 1910, when he rejoined his regiment. In August 1914, he proceeded to France, forming part of General Headquarters Staff, as Liaison Officer, with General Sardet's Cavalry Corps, during the retreat from Belgium. The following is an extract from an appreciation of Major Brooke in the 'Daily Telegraph' written by 'A Friend': "As to the manner of his death and burial, there is something to be recorded. He died on the night of 29 August, and was buried early next morning at Chateau d'Annel, near Compiegne. The house had been turned into a hospital by Mrs Depew, who left at eleven on the same day, owing to the approach of the German forces. The estate carpenter made his coffin, and one of the old men of the estate dug his grave. After the burial the old man said to Mrs Depew: 'Regardez, Madame'. He pointed out a gravestone to the north of the grave, which had the inscription underneath the date, 1879, 'Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur'. It belonged to one of the family which owned the Chateau d'Annel in those days, all of whom were buried there. Beside them the old gravedigger thought it right to lay Victor Brooke — Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur indeed". Lord Kitchener said of him: "Victor Brooke is one of the best Staff Officers I have ever had, and quite one of the best all-round men to be found". When Lord Hardinge came home, he said to a friend: "Victor Brooke was loved by tens of thousands in India". Lady Minto wrote: "He was an ideal Military Secretary. An indefatigable worker himself, he had that rare gift of getting the best out of others. His example was such a stimulus to everyone to try and live up to his own high standard. Victor was beloved by the Viceroy and every member of his household, and no one was ever in his presence without feeling the better for the magnetic influence of his manly, straightforward character".
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | 9th (The Queen's Royal) Lancers |
