Obituary

REAR-ADMIRAL SIR

BASIL BRQOKE

TREASURER TO THE QUEEN Rear-Admiral Sir Basil Brooke, G.C.V.O., Treasurer to the Queen, and Groom-in-Waiting and Extra Equerry to the King since 1937, died in hospitxl in London on December 11. A message of sympathy and condolence was sent to Lady Brooke yesterday from the King and Queen.

Basil Vernon Brooke, born on March 9, 1876, third son of the late Arthur Basil Brooke (third son of SirA'rthurBrooke,second baronet of Colebrooke) entered H.M.S. Britannia as a naval cadet in January, 1890, and two years later went to sea in the cruiser Blake. flagship on the North American Station. He became a sub-lieutenant in 1895 and lieutenant in 1898. After serving in the flagships in China and North America, he vas appointed to the royal yacht Osborne in November, 1903, and subsequentlv joined the Powerful, flagship in Australia. In April, 1907, he was appointed to the R.N. College, Osborne, and was there when the Duke of Windsor entered the college as a naval cadet. He left on promotion to commander in December, 1909, and from 1910 to 1912 was in the Minotaur, flagship in China. In 1913-14 he was Flag-Commander to the Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouthl (Admiral, later Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Hedworth Meux).

After war broke out in 1914 he served in the battleship Emperor of India in the Grand Fleet until after his promotion to captain in 1916. From February, 1917, he was in command of the cruiser Southampton intil the Grand Fleet was disbanded early in 1919. In April of that year he was appointed to the royal yacht Alexandra, on her recommissioning for service after the war, and held lhe command until she was paid off in the spring of 1922. He retired the same year, and was promoted rear-admiral on the retired list in 1927. He was made a C.V.O. in 1922, wals advanced to K.C.V.O. in 1933, and to G.C.V.O. in 1943.

Brooke first joined the King's Houselhold when his Majesty was Duke of York, in 1923. as Comptroller and Equerry. In Marclh, 1937, just after the King-s accession, be was appointed a Groom-in-WVaiting and Extra Equerry, and became Treasurer to the Queen. During the 1939-45 war he commanded the Upper Thamiies Patrol Flotilla of motor-boats which formed part of the Home Guard.

In 1915 he married Olave, only daughter of the late Commander C. E. F. CunninghameGraham, M.A.O., R.N. Their only son, LieCLtenant Basil Malise Brooke, 11 tl Hussars (P.A.O.), R.A.C., born in 1921, died on activc servicc in March, 1944, aftcr an accident.

A correspondent writes:-

The death of Rear-Admiral Sir Ba5il Brooke wvill, be deeply felt by his maay friends. As a sailor his popularity was widespread, and no one could seek a better shipniate. Shortly after his retirement he was selected by their Majesties (then the Duke andI Duchess of York) to be the head of their household, and until his death he remained in their service as a trusted servant...