James Anson Otho Brooke
Brooke was from a landed gentry family, the eldest of five sons and two daughters of Harry Vesey Brooke, JP, DL, of Fairley, Countesswells, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, who had served as a captain in the 92nd Gordon Highlanders, and Patricia, daughter of James Gregory Moir-Byres, of a landed gentry family of Tonley, Aberdeenshire from which came the architect, antiquary and art dealer James Byres.[4] Having been promoted to lieutenant in 1907, Brooke was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, British Army, based in India until 1913, then in Egypt until the outbreak of the First World War, when they were ordered to the front, Brooke serving as senior subaltern and assistant adjutant.By his marked coolness and promptitude on this occasion Lieutenant Brooke prevented the enemy from breaking through our line, at a time when a general counter-attack could not have been organised.Captain Brooke's remains were interred at Zantvoorde British Cemetery (CWGC), Zonnebeke, Belgium (near Ypres).A Victoria Cross commemorate stone bearing his name was laid at Kingswells Hall near Aberdeen in October 2014 to mark the centenary of the award.