Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Commander S. McBroom, O.B.E., Royal Naval Reserve.

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, O.B.E., Military, 1st type, in case of issue; BRITISH WAR and VICTORY MEDALS (Lieut., R.N.R.); Russia, ORDER OF ST. STANISLAUS, neck badge with crossed swords, a fine quality silver gilt and enamel badge of the Kerensky period. The lot is sold with several contemporary newspaper cuttings, a named silver sporting medal, two lapel badges and three medals awarded to his son (S. F. McBroom, Merchant Navy), 1939-45 STAR; ATLANTIC STAR; WAR MEDAL. Extremely fine (10)

O.B.E. London Gazette 4 July, 1919.

Commander Samuel McBroom saw service with the Navy at home and abroad from 1915 to the end of hostilities. He had many adventures whilst in command of a patrol boat in the North Sea, where his work won him recognition, and his responsibilities were increased in different spheres of operations. Twice, while in charge of a minesweeper sailing out of Hull, his ship was blown up in the North Sea, but on each occasion he brought his crippled craft back to port. He was promoted Lieutenant-Commander, and for three and a half years he held the important post of district naval transport officer for the White Sea.

Helped Kerensky to Escape

Commander McBroom gave a good account of himself whilst serving in Russian waters, and he was summoned to appear before the Czar, but the Revolution intervened before the command could be obeyed. He was to have been awarded the Noble Order of St. Stanislau (sic.) with crossed swords, second class. Kerensky, the leader of the first Revolution, escaped with the assistance of Commander McBroom, who was responsible for his passage from Russia. On another occasion he was arrested by Bolshevics, and was only released on his promise to find them food.