Men of honour

The Victoria Cross - the most prestigious military honour that can be bestowed — was handed out just 182 times for exceptional valour in the face of the enemy during the Second World War.

- BY EMMELINE SAUNDERS

Gerard Roope was the first in the war to be awarded a Victoria Cross, for his actions while in command of HMS Glowworm. The Lieutenant Commander was a 35-year-old Royal Navy officer when, on April 8, 1940, he and the crew of the 1,345-ton Glow-worm were sailing alone to Norway's West Fjord. Spotting two German destroyers, the Glowworm fired its weapons, hitting one of the enemy ships. Both then retreated.

Although he was aware the destroyers were leading Glowworm towards larger German ships, Roope gave the order to chase them down.

Spotting the Admiral Hipper - a staggering 14,000-ton German cruiser - Roope opened fire with 10 torpedoes but didn't hit it.

When the Admiral Hipper returned fire, it caused significant damage to the Glowworm, setting her on fire. Knowing there was no escape, Roope ordered his crew to ram the badly damaged destroyer into the side of the German ship, tearing several holes in her hull and destroying one of her torpedo mountings.

With that, the Glowworm capsized and sank, taking with her all but 31 of her 149 crew.

The survivors were picked out of the sea by the Germans and Roope was seen helping his remaining crew put on lifejackets. But despite being thrown a rope from the larger boat, he was unable to hold on and drowned.