The Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross

The Victoria Cross
Awarded to Men of Portsmouth
- Norman Douglas Holbrook VC -


 
Headstone
Headstone of the grave for Norman Douglas Holbrook
 
Plaque
Blue Plaque in Southsea
 
Submarine B11
Submarine B11 at Portsmouth

Location of Grave:
St. James Old Churchyard, Stedham, West Sussex
The grave is in the North East corner behind the church.
O/S: SU 865 226.
 
NORMAN DOUGLAS HOLBROOK, V.C.
COMMANDER.
ROYAL NAVY, HM SUBMARINE B.11
MEDAL WON: DARDANELLES, TURKEY, 13 DECEMBER 1914.
GAZETTED: 22 DECEMBER 1914.
BORN: SOUTHSEA, 9 JULY 1888.
DIED: STEDHAM MILL, 3 JULY 1976.
MEDAL: HOLBROOK SHIRE COUNCIL, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
 
Details of the Award
On 13 December 1914 in the Dardanelles, Turkey, Lieutenant Holbrook was in command of the submarine B.11, an old and obsolete craft built in 1905. Notwithstanding the difficulties of a treacherous current in the Straits, he dived under five rows of mines and torpedoed and sank the Turkish battleship Messudiyeh, which was guarding the mine-field. He then succeeded in bringing the B.11 back to the Mediterranean, in spite of being attacked by gun fire and torpedo boats. When they got back to safety the B.11 had been submerged for 9 hours.
 
Further Information
He lived at one time at 18 Grove Road South, Southsea which is now part of St John's College. English Heritage have erected a blue plaque (see photo) on the building.
 
Commander Holbrook was Chairman of Holbrook's Printers in Hilsea from 1921 to 1976. His father, Sir Arthur, had been one of its founders.
 
In Australia, between Sydney and Melbourne, there is a small town named after Holbrook. It was previously called Germanton but this was considered rather inappropriate during a war with Germany and the locals chose the name of Holbrook after hearing of the exploits of Commander Holbrook. The town is 250 miles from the sea but this hasn't stopped them erecting the superstructure of a submarine dedicated to submariners and especially Commander Holbrook. The memorial was dedicated in June 1997 before Holbrook's widow Gundula and Robert Matthews, Chairman of Holbrooks Printers.
 
Commander Holbrook is also remembered on a plaque, unveiled by the Duke of Edinburgh in the Royal Naval and Royal Albert Yacht Club in Pembroke Road, Old Portsmouth.
 
A picture can be found at:
Wikipedia


 
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