Five: Major C. Brooke-Short, Portsmouth Division, Royal Marine Brigade, a veteran of Dunkirk, Lille and the defence of Antwerp, who was wounded in action serving in Gallipoli, 28 April 1915, and later was recognised by the Greek Red Cross for his services in the aftermath of the Corinth Earthquake of 1928

1914 Star, with clasp (Act. Lieut. C. Brooke-Short, R.M. Brigade.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. C. Brooke-Short. R.M.L.I.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed; Greek Red Cross Society’s Commemorative Medal for the Corinth Earthquake 1928, silver and enamel, slightly worn, generally nearly very fine (5) £800-£1,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of 1914 Stars to the Royal Naval Division.

View
Collection

Cecil Brooke-Short was born in Woodford, Port of Spain, Trinidad in May 1895. He was the son of Richard Brooke-Short, a Cocoa planter. Brooke-Short studied at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and passed out as Second Lieutenant in the Royal Marines in June 1914. He was appointed to the Portsmouth Division and posted as Temporary Lieutenant to the Royal Marine Brigade in August 1914. Brooke-Short served with the latter at Dunkirk, Lille and the defence of Antwerp. He ‘landed in Gallipoli on 27th April, 1915, where he was wounded. He served in H.M.S. Malaya from 4th July, 1916, to 8th November, 1917, when he was promoted Captain.’ (Obituary refers)

Brooke-Short was wounded in action the day after landing (28 April 1915), when he received shrapnel wounds to the upper part of both legs. After service with the Malaya, ‘he was A.D.C. to the Governor of Bombay from 25th September, 1919 to 29th December, 1921. He then served in H.M.S. Marlborough. He was Adjutant of Portsmouth Division from 9th January, 1925, to 30th September, 1926, and then served in H.M. ships Eagle, Marlborough, Erebus and Norfolk, being promoted Major on 30th November, 1931. He was serving in H.M.S. Cumberland as F.R.M.O., China, at the time of his death.’ (Obituary refers)

Brooke-Short was serving with the Eagle, when after lending valuable assistance in the aftermath of the Corinth earthquake, he was awarded the Greek Red Cross Society’s Commemorative Medal - a distinction that Their Lordships permitted him to accept, but not wear. Major Brooke-Short was awarded the King George Prize Scholarship of £20 in 1935, and died at the Naval Hospital at Wei-Hai-Wei, China in June 1937.

Sold with copied research.