Kennedy Gerard Brooke
Lieutenant-Commander Kennedy Gerard Brooke (7 November, 1882 – ) was an officer in the Royal Navy. He altered his last name to Darracott-Brooke upon his marriage in September, 1909, but by 29 April, 1913 it was reportedly just "Brooke" again.
Life & Career
The son of Commander Gerard Marmaduke Brooke, R.N.. Brooke was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 31 December, 1903.[1]
In February 1905 he was allowed to travel home from service on the China Station at his own expense in light of his father's dangerous illness. He would be too late, however, as he arrived in England on 17 March and his father had died two days previously.
In June 1907, he was described as being careless in money matters "in a boyish way". This forecast later difficulties, perhaps, as in October 1912 he failed to comply with requirements of the Bankruptcy Acts.
Darracott-Brooke was appointed in command of the destroyer Bruizer on 23 September, 1909.[2]
In 1911, he damaged the French sailing vessel Yvonne with H.M.S. Bulldog and was faulted for not standing by to ascertain the extent of damage done. He was cautioned for excessive wine bills.
Brooke was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 31 December, 1911.
In 1913, he served in Spartiate as first officer, moving to Ariadne as first officer later in the year.
In August 1914, he was sidelined with tonsillitis, becing found fit on 7 September.
From May 1915, he was first officer in Juno, being made acting Commander on 16 August. On 5 September he lost her steam cutter, which elicited displeasure at the Admiralty. He was invalided on 22 October 1915 and sent home from Bombay in a P. & O. steamer Caledonia. He was found fit for shore service only on 3 April, 1916. He eventually found himself in charge of drafting for the R.N.A.S. at Crystal Palace.
Brooke was granted a permanent commission as a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Air Force on 1 August, 1919.
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of H.M. T.B. 12 30 May, 1907[3] – 7 Sep, 1909[Inference] |
Succeeded by Arthur Marsden |
| Preceded by Francis A. W. Buller |
Captain of H.M.S. Bruizer 23 Sep, 1909[4] – 24 May, 1911[Inference] |
Succeeded by Lionel G. Dawson |
| Preceded by Frederick B. Noble |
Captain of H.M.S. Bulldog 14 Jun, 1911 – 21 Nov, 1911 |
Succeeded by William B. Mackenzie |
Footnotes
