Lot Essay
INDENTMentioned in Despatches London Gazette 29.4.1952. Lieutenant, K.O.S.B. "Gallant and Distinguished Services in Korea"
Major Peter Bruce de Trafford Rooke, born 1930, entered the K.O.S.B. as a Second Lieutenant from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, 1949; served in Korea 1951-52
A Victoria Cross Action
On the 3rd./4th. November, 1951 in the prelude to one of the Borderers most gallant actions, forward Companies of the regiment positioned along the ridge around Point 217 were subjected to intense enemy bombardment; it was estimated that at one stage 6,000 shells an hour were falling on the ridge -- a Chinese attack was imminent. 'C' Company who bore the brunt of the attack became engaged in fierce hand to hand fighting and withdrew before wave upon wave of the enemy. 'B' Company moved back before superior numbers of Chinese firing self propelled guns, rockets and carrying pole charges and nets to destroy and bridge the defensive wire. Point 217 was overrun thus enabling the enemy to advance along the ridge. Private Speakman although wounded led 15 grenade charges against the enemy, thereby allowing his section to withdraw safely -- his gallantry was rewarded by the Victoria Cross.
The Mortar Platoon commanded by Lieutenant Rooke fired 5,000 shells down onto the advancing Chinese masses -- the mortars, unable to sustain that rate of fire without liquid were kept going a little longer by the water from all the men's water bottles which was poured down the red hot barrels. Eventually Rooke reported to Major Harrison that there was no more water -- Harrison immediately replied "Use beer" -- 48 bottles of the precious liquid went down the thristy mortar barrels -- they continued their deadly work.
At dawn on the 5th. the Borders were still in position wating for the bugles that heralded another attack -- it never the came and the Chinese fell back; 6,000 men had unsuccessfully attacked the K.O.S.B. position -- over 1,000 were killed in the attempt.
Major Rooke was advanced to Lieutenant December, 1951, Captain, 1955; A.D.C. to G.O.C. in C. and Director Emergency Operations, 1957-59; passed Staff College, 1962 and advanced to Major December of that year
Major Peter Bruce de Trafford Rooke, born 1930, entered the K.O.S.B. as a Second Lieutenant from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, 1949; served in Korea 1951-52
A Victoria Cross Action
On the 3rd./4th. November, 1951 in the prelude to one of the Borderers most gallant actions, forward Companies of the regiment positioned along the ridge around Point 217 were subjected to intense enemy bombardment; it was estimated that at one stage 6,000 shells an hour were falling on the ridge -- a Chinese attack was imminent. 'C' Company who bore the brunt of the attack became engaged in fierce hand to hand fighting and withdrew before wave upon wave of the enemy. 'B' Company moved back before superior numbers of Chinese firing self propelled guns, rockets and carrying pole charges and nets to destroy and bridge the defensive wire. Point 217 was overrun thus enabling the enemy to advance along the ridge. Private Speakman although wounded led 15 grenade charges against the enemy, thereby allowing his section to withdraw safely -- his gallantry was rewarded by the Victoria Cross.
The Mortar Platoon commanded by Lieutenant Rooke fired 5,000 shells down onto the advancing Chinese masses -- the mortars, unable to sustain that rate of fire without liquid were kept going a little longer by the water from all the men's water bottles which was poured down the red hot barrels. Eventually Rooke reported to Major Harrison that there was no more water -- Harrison immediately replied "Use beer" -- 48 bottles of the precious liquid went down the thristy mortar barrels -- they continued their deadly work.
At dawn on the 5th. the Borders were still in position wating for the bugles that heralded another attack -- it never the came and the Chinese fell back; 6,000 men had unsuccessfully attacked the K.O.S.B. position -- over 1,000 were killed in the attempt.
Major Rooke was advanced to Lieutenant December, 1951, Captain, 1955; A.D.C. to G.O.C. in C. and Director Emergency Operations, 1957-59; passed Staff College, 1962 and advanced to Major December of that year