Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte

The Second World War K.B.E., Great War C.B. group of twelve awarded to Admiral Sir Henry Crooke, Royal Navy, who, having commanded the cruiser Caroline at Jutland, was recalled on the renewal of hostilities as a Commodore of Convoys, in which capacity he handled no less than 24 convoys in the Channel and Atlantic 1939-42

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, K.B.E. (Military) Knight Commander’s 2nd type set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, and breast star, silver, gilt and enamel centre, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue; The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Civil) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt; 1914-15 Star (Capt. H. R. Crooke, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. R. Crooke, R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals; Coronation 1911, together with 2nd Cruiser Squadron’s visit to South Africa and South America 1908 Medal, the Great War and 1939-45 War awards in their card forwarding boxes, the 1914-15 Trio later but officially impressed issues, generally extremely fine (12) £1400-1600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte.

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K.B.E. London Gazette 11 July 1940.

C.B. London Gazette 11 June 1919:
‘For valuable services as Director of Naval Ordnance.’

Henry Crooke was born in Calcutta in December 1875 and entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet in Britannia in July 1888. Appointed a Midshipman in the Camperdown in the Channel Squadron in July 1890, he went on to specialise as a Gunnery Officer, and served as a Commander in Sir Percy Scott’s flagship, the Cape of Good Hope, during her tour of South Africa and South America in 1908.

A Captain by the time of the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, Crooke was appointed to the command of the cruiser Caroline, in which ship he was present at Jutland and, but for the hesitancy of his immediate senior, Admiral Jerram, may well have achieved greater success. Jutland, by Captain Donald MacIntyre, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N., takes up the story:

‘Two of Commodore Le Mesurier’s ship’s, the light cruisers Caroline and Royalist, were abreast of this squadron and, at 8.45, they sighted three battleships, dimly looming to the westward. They turned to investigate and, by nine o’clock, Captain Crooke of the Caroline had decided they were German pre-dreadnoughts, though in fact they were the leading dreadnoughts of the German First Squadron, led by Westfalen.

Informing Admiral Jerramn, he led in to the attack. The Admiral now also sighted the enemy ships but thought they must be Beatty’s battle cruisers for whom he had been seeking in order to join them. Hurriedly he flashed a message to the Caroline to cancel the attack.

Crooke was quite certain of what he could see and, having persuaded Jerram of this, received his permission, “If you are quite sure, attack.” But already the two light cruisers were on their way, to be met, as they swung round to launch their torpedoes, by a blast of fire from the Westfalen and Nassau. In spite of the tornado of shell that fell about them, they escaped serious damage. For their resourceful self-confidence, they deserved better success than was, in fact, achieved. One of their torpedoes sped true for the Nassau but, running too deep, passed harmlessly under her ... ’

Officially commended for his actions, Crooke was awarded the Russian Order of St. Anne, 3rd class, with swords (London Gazette 5 June 1917 refers).

Coming ashore in March 1917, to take command of the gunnery establishment Excellent, he became Director of Naval Ordnance at the Admiralty in June 1918, in which capacity he was awarded the C.B. in the following year. Thereafter he commanded several capital ships, was advanced to Rear-Admiral and appointed an A.D.C. to the King in 1922, and was placed on the Retired List as a Vice-Admiral in 1928.

Having then been advanced to Admiral (Retired) in 1932, he was recalled as a Commodore of Convoys on the renewal of hostilities, and handled no less than 24 convoys in the Channel and Atlantic in the period 1939-42. Latterly employed as S.N.O. at Barry, the Admiral died in February 1952.