Gerard Broadmead Roope

Fought Glowworm to the end against a powerful German cruiser

Gerard Broadmead Roope was born on 13 March 1905 at Hillbrook, Trull, near Taunton, Somerset, the son of Gerard and Florence Roope. He entered the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in September 1918, aged thirteen, and became a midshipman in HMS Revenge in January 1923. His early sea service included the destroyer Walker and the cruisers Concord and Caledon. Promoted lieutenant in September 1927, he subsequently served in the battleship Marlborough and cruiser Caradoc.

In 1928 he married Faith Clarke. They had a son and a daughter. His interwar career brought increasing responsibility in smaller warships: he became first lieutenant of the minesweeper Tiverton in 1932 and of the destroyer Boreas in 1933. Promoted lieutenant-commander on 30 September 1935, he took command of the destroyer Vidette in December 1936. On 22 July 1938 he assumed command of HMS Glowworm, a G-class destroyer serving with the Mediterranean Fleet. After war began in September 1939, the ship returned to British waters.

In April 1940 Glowworm escorted the battlecruiser Renown during British minelaying operations off Norway. Heavy weather swept a sailor overboard, and Roope detached to search for him. While attempting to rejoin the force on 8 April, Glowworm encountered two German destroyers. Roope engaged them and pursued their withdrawal, although he recognised that they could be leading him towards heavier supporting ships.

When the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper appeared, Roope transmitted a sighting report that reached Renown. Rough seas prevented Glowworm from simply shadowing the enemy. He attacked with torpedoes and continued the gun action despite increasingly severe damage. His torpedo attacks missed. The destroyer then struck Hipper's starboard side, damaging the cruiser and crushing her own bows. Drawing clear, Glowworm fired again and hit Hipper at approximately 400 yards.

With his ship heeling over, Roope ordered the crew to abandon her. Glowworm capsized and sank. Hipper's captain, Hellmuth Heye, remained to rescue survivors. Roope survived the sinking and was seen helping his men, but, exhausted, he could not retain his grip on a rescue rope and drowned. He was thirty-five. Most of Glowworm's crew were lost.

Roope's life and naval career ended in the action. His posthumous Victoria Cross was announced on 10 July 1945, after surviving crewmen returned from captivity and fuller evidence became available. Heye's account and praise for his opponent also helped establish the circumstances of Glowworm's final fight.

Official Victoria Cross citation London Gazette, Fourth Supplement to the issue of 6 July 1945, published 10 July 1945, no. 37170, p. 3557. https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37170/supplement/3557/data.pdf

ADMIRALTY. Whitehall. 10th July, 1945.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS for valour to:—

The late Lieutenant-Commander Gerard Broadmead ROOPE, Royal Navy.

On the 8th April, 1940, H.M.S. Glowworm was proceeding alone in heavy weather towards a rendezvous in West Fjord, when she met and engaged two enemy destroyers, scoring at least one hit on them. The enemy broke off the action and headed North, to lead the Glowworm on to his supporting forces. The Commanding Officer, whilst correctly appreciating the intentions of the enemy, at once gave chase. The German heavy cruiser, Admiral Hipper, was sighted closing the Glowworm at high speed and an enemy report was sent which was received by H.M.S. Renown. Because of the heavy sea, the Glowworm could not shadow the enemy and the Commanding Officer therefore decided to attack with torpedoes and then to close in order to inflict as much damage as possible. Five torpedoes were fired and later the remaining five, but without success. The Glowworm was badly hit; one gun was out of action and her speed was much reduced, but with the other three guns still firing she closed and rammed the Admiral Hipper. As the Glowworm drew away, she opened fire again and scored one hit at a range of 400 yards. The Glowworm, badly stove in forward and riddled with enemy fire, heeled over to starboard, and the Commanding Officer gave the order to abandon her. Shortly afterwards she capsized and sank. The Admiral Hipper hove to for at least an hour picking up survivors but the loss of life was heavy, only 31 out of the Glowworm's complement of 149 being saved.

Full information concerning this action has only recently been received and the VICTORIA CROSS is bestowed in recognition of the great valour of the Commanding Officer who, after fighting off a superior force of destroyers, sought out and reported a powerful enemy unit, and then fought his ship to the end against overwhelming odds, finally ramming the enemy with supreme coolness and skill.