Norman Douglas Holbrook

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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

  1. Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
  2. Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
  3. The Navy List. (July, 1913). p. 301.
  4. The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 310.
  5. The Technical History and Index, Vol. 3, Part 21. p. 5.
  6. Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
  7. Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
  8. Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
  9. Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
  10. Holbrook Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/51/320. f. ?.
  11. The Navy List. (July, 1913). p. 301.
  12. The Navy List. (January, 1915). p. 310.