Norman Douglas Holbrook
Commander Norman Douglas Holbrook, V.C., R.N. (9 July, 1888 – 3 July, 1976) was an officer in the Royal Navy. He was the first submariner awarded a Victoria Cross.
Life & Career
Born in Southsea, the son of W. A. Holbrook, Esq..[1]
Holbrook was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 September, 1909.[2]
Holbrook was appointed in command of the submarine A 13 on 19 March, 1913.[3]
He was appointed in command of the submarine B 11 on 30 December, 1913,[4] and was in command on 13 December, 1914 when he torpedoed a Turkish battleship after diving under (it was reported) five rows of mines.[5] This was considered "a remarkable performance for a B class boat."[6]
Holbrook was invalided from his command of B 11 in September 1915, suffering from dysentery.
He was decorated with his V.C. by the King at Buckingham Palace on 5 October, 1915. On 1 January, 1916 he was appointed in command of the submarine F 3.[7]
Holbrook was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 30 September, 1917.
Post-War
Placed on the Retired List at his own request on 30 September, 1920.[8]
Holbrook was promoted to the rank of Commander (retired) on 9 July, 1928.[9]
World War II
He served in the Trade Division, reverting to the Retired List on 10 November, 1944.[10]
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Alton Wishart |
Captain of H.M.S. A 13 19 Mar, 1913[11] – 30 Dec, 1913 |
Succeeded by Edward R. Lewes |
| Preceded by Charles de Burgh |
Captain of H.M.S. B 11 30 Dec, 1913[12] – Sep, 1915 |
Succeeded by Wilfred Tomkinson |
| Preceded by New Command |
Captain of H.M.S. F 3 1 Jan, 1916 – 8 Dec, 1916 |
Succeeded by Robin B. Martin |
| Preceded by Allan Poland |
Captain of H.M.S. V 4 8 Dec, 1916 – 17 Feb, 1917 |
Succeeded by Ambrose N. Lee |
| Preceded by Alfred M. Winser |
Captain of H.M.S. E 41 17 Feb, 1917 – 26 Jan, 1918 |
Succeeded by Allan Poland |
| Preceded by Vincent M. Cooper |
Captain of H.M.S. J 2 26 Jan, 1918 – 20 Jul, 1918 |
Succeeded by Alfred M. Winser |
Footnotes
- ↑ Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
- ↑ Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1913). p. 301.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 310.
- ↑ The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 21. p. 5.
- ↑ Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
- ↑ Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
- ↑ Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
- ↑ Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
- ↑ Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
- ↑ The Navy List. (July, 1913). p. 301.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 310.
