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Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman

1886 – 1916

Recipient of the Victoria Cross

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About Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman

Lived 1886 – 1916 (aged 29). Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman was a military personnel.

Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman VC (24 November 1886 – 24 April 1916) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Firman was born at South Kensington in 1886 to Humphrey Brooke Firman, J.P. (of Gateforth, Selby, Yorkshire and New Malden, Surrey) and Florence Adelaide (née Cumming). He joined the Royal Navy as a cadet on 15 May 1901 and, as midshipman and sub-lieutenant, served on HMS Glory on the China Station, in the battleships HMS Albion and HMS Illustrious in the Channel Fleet, and in the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert.

Legacy In New Malden, Surrey, a plaque bearing his name was unveiled on the war memorial in April 2008, while Firman Close is named after him. A stone slab memorial to Firman is set into the pavement on the south side of South Kensington tube station and was unveiled on 25 April 2016. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial.

His Victoria Cross is held at the York Castle Museum.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Education
Stubbington House School
Awards
Victoria Cross; Mentioned in Despatches

People in Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman's life

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Contemporaries

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Frequently asked questions

Who was Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman?

recipient of the Victoria Cross

When was Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman born?

Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman was born on 24 November 1886 in Kensington.

When did Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman die?

Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman died on 24 April 1916 in Kut.

What was Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman's occupation?

Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman was a military personnel.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman

· Wikidata: Q16059161

· DBpedia: Humphrey Firman

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman. https://biography.guide/humphrey-osbaldston-brooke-firman/

MLA: "Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/humphrey-osbaldston-brooke-firman/.

Chicago: "Humphrey Osbaldston Brooke Firman." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/humphrey-osbaldston-brooke-firman/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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