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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 604

Four: Petty Officer R. H. Brabrook, Royal Navy, who saw service with 'Lucky Tartar' during the sinking of Bismarck and was later ‘mentioned’ for his service with Gleaner on the Arctic Convoys

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45 with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Naval L.S. & G.C. (J.114656 R. H. Brabrook. P.O. H.M.S. Gleaner.), mounted as worn, pitting and contact wear, nearly very fine (4)

Reginald Harry Brabrook was born at Barry, Glamorgan, in June 1907, the son of Harry and Emily Brabrook of 1 Beryl Road, Barry. Enlisting on 6 August 1925 as a Boy Class II he served aboard H.M.S. Hood as a Boy Class I from 26 November 1926, being advanced Ordinary Seaman with her on 28 November 1929. After service ashore Brabrook joined H.M.S. Wren and was promoted Able Seaman aboard her on 28 April 1929. Seeing further service afloat with H.M.S. Furious, Rodney and Gipsy by the outbreak of the Second World War he was stationed with the Tribal-Class destroyer H.M.S. Tartar, nicknamed ‘Lucky Tartar’.

Promoted Leading Seaman on 9 May 1939 Brabrook remained with Tartar and was present when she was deployed to the North Sea, hunting Scharnhorst and Gneisenau after the sinking of the armed merchantman Rawalpindi. Forced to break off for repairs in early 1940 by the Spring 1940 she was posted to Norway to support allied operations there. Brabrook’s hard work during this period resulted in his promotion to Petty Officer on 3 November 1940. Returning in early 1941 to support Operation Claymore, the raid upon the Lofoten Islands.

Tartar joined the Battle of the Atlantic in May 1941 and as a result was part of the hunt for the Bismark. Here she was present for the sinking of the Bismark on 27 May 1941. Brabrook returned ashore on 31 October 1941 and was reposted to H.M.S. Gleaner on 16 May 1941, after her conversion to a Fleet Minesweeper.

Attached to 1st Minesweeping Flotilla at Scapa Gleaner started to escort Arctic Convoys, starting with PQ18 which arrived at Archangel on 17 September 1942. She served in this area for the rest of 1942, ironically one of the convoy Gleaner escorted saw the flashes of shellfire which denoted the sinking of the Battleship Scharnhorst. For Brabrook who began the war hunting her it must have been a moment of satisfaction.

Earning his ‘mention’ not long afterwards Brabrook continued to serve with Gleaner as she shepherded convoys through the waters of the arctic until March 1944 when- in preparation for Operation Overlord- 1st Minesweeping Flotilla was tasked to clear the way to the Normandy beaches. She remained here clearing mines and preparing supporting the invasion effort until 25 August when she suffered a near miss and was towed back to Britain for repairs.

Brabrook left Gleaner on 4 February 1946 to Drake and later Goldcrest on 16 August 1946; sold together with copied research including census data, London Gazette and medal roll as well as information on H.M.S. Gleaner.

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Sold for
£350

Starting price
£100