Gerard Broadmead Roope

Lieutenant Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope 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.

On 8 April 1940, Roope was commanding HMS Glowworm in heavy weather when the destroyer encountered and engaged two German destroyers. After chasing the enemy vessels, the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper was sighted closing at high speed. Due to the rough seas preventing effective shadowing, Roope made the decision to attack with torpedoes and close the distance. Despite his ship being badly hit and suffering a reduction in speed, Roope closed and rammed the Admiral Hipper.

Following the ramming, HMS Glowworm opened fire once more before being ordered to abandon ship due to severe damage. The vessel subsequently capsized and sank. Only 31 of Glowworm's 149 crew members survived the action. Roope's Victoria Cross was awarded in recognition of his great valour, supreme coolness, and skill in fighting his ship to the end against overwhelming odds.