Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The presentation copy of de Ruvigny’s The Roll of Honour, Volume V, given to the family of Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. Brodie, V.C., M.C., Highland Light Infantry

Compiled by the Marquis de Ruvigny, being a biographical record of all members of His Majesty’s Naval and Military Forces who have fallen in the War, published by The Standard Art Book Company, London, this copy being the original presentation volume for the family of Lieutenant-Colonel W. L. Brodie, V.C., M.C., Highland Light Infantry, the frontispiece with the original portrait photograph of Brodie, with original red morocco covers, the front cover embossed with the cap badge of the Highland Light Infantry, very good condition £100-£140

‘Brodie, Walter Lorrain, V.C., M.C., Lieut.-Col., 2nd Battn. (74th Foot) The Highland Light Infantry, 2nd s. of John Wilson Brodie, of 23, Belgrave Crescent, Edinburgh, C.A., by his wife, Grace Mary, dau. of Walter Scott Lorrain; b. Edinburgh, 28 July, 1884; educ. Edinburgh Academy, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. The Highland Light Infantry 2 March, 1904; promoted Lieut. 19 June, 1908, Capt. 10 Sept. 1914, Brevet-Major and Lieut. Col. in 1918; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Aug. 1914, and was killed in action 23 Aug. 1918. Buried at Bienvillers-au-Bois.
The General Commanding the Division wrote: “Brodie’s death was a blow to us all; a better Commanding Officer I never wanted, and his battalion has been doing magnificent work in the recent operations”; and the Brigadier-General: “Although he had been only a few months with the brigade which I command, I had ample opportunities for knowing him well and appreciating his fine soldierly qualities. We feel the loss of him greatly in the brigade as a friend as well as a fine officer. He was gallantly leading his men when killed in the action which was subsequently a complete success.”
A Colonel of the Highland Light Infantry wrote: “No man ever had a more loyal, capable or gallant Staff Officer or a better or more cheery companion... Only a few days ago I had a letter from him, telling me in what a splendid condition the 2nd Battn. was, and I had heard so from other sources, and also what a success he was in command, as I knew he would be. He must have gone far had he lived”; and an ex-Commanding Officer of the 2nd Highland Light Infantry: “He was, I knew from personal experience, a splendid officer and a gallant one. In gaining the V.C. he has done the Highland Light Infantry the highest honour possible, and his loss to them is quite irreparable, and I know how very much he will be missed by all who served with him.” A Major also wrote: “He was a very great example to all of us, and that example will live for ever.”
Lieut.-Col. Brodie was twice mentioned in Despatches [London Gazettes, 12 Dec. 1914, and 17 Feb. 1915] by F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French, for gallant and distinguished service in the field. He was also awarded the Victoria Cross [London Gazette, 12 Dec. 1914], for conspicuous bravery near Becelaere on 11 Nov. 1914, in clearing the enemy out of a portion of the British trenches which they had succeeded in occupying. Heading the charge, he bayoneted several of the enemy, and thereby relieved a dangerous situation. As a result of Lieut.-Col. Brodie’s promptitude 80 of the enemy were killed and 51 taken prisoners. He was awarded the Military Cross [London Gazette, 1 Jan. 1917], for bravery in the field.
He was a keen sportsman, a good shot, and, when opportunity offered, a keen follower to hounds; unm.’