14 Facts About Philip Broke

Sir Philip Bowes Vere Broke, 1st Baronet was a Royal Navy officer who served in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812.

Philip Broke was educated at Ipswich School, where a house was later named in his honour.

Philip Broke joined the Royal Naval Academy at Portsmouth Dockyard in 1788, and began active service as a midshipman in 1792.

Philip Broke was promoted to commander in 1799 and captain on 14 February 1801.

On 25 November 1802, Philip Broke married Sarah Louisa Middleton, daughter of Sir William Fowle Middleton 1st Baronet of Crowfield, Suffolk.

Philip Broke took command of the Shannon, a 38-gun frigate, on 31 August 1806.

Philip Broke was ordered to Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1811 as the diplomatic position between America and Britain deteriorated.

Philip Broke mounted a number of very small carronades in order that ships' boys and younger midshipmen could have cannon light enough for them to practise on.

In Halifax, Philip Broke recovered at the Commissioner's residence in the Halifax Naval Yard.

In recognition, Philip Broke was created a baronet on 25 September 1813.

Philip Broke became a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath on 3 January 1815.

Philip Broke was awarded a Naval Gold Medal, one of only eight awarded for single ship actions between 1794 and 1816.

Philip Broke was promoted to rear admiral of the red on 22 July 1830.

Philip Broke ended as a major general and was knighted.