Humphrey Osbalderston Brooke Firman was bron on 24 November 1886 in Kensington, London, the son of Gateforth-estate owner Humphrey Brooke Firman.

Humphrey spent the majority of his short life in the Royal Navy.

He enrolled as a cadet on 15 May 1901. From there, his career followed the trajectory of the typical naval officer.

As a Midshipman, then Sub-Lieutenant, Humphrey first served aboard HMS Glory, stationed in the Far East. He later served aboard the Albion and Illustrious in the Channel Fleet and on the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert. 

Ahead of the Great War, Humphrey was promoted to Lieutenant and served in the Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa.

First World War and Victoria Cross

In early 1916, Humphrey was given command of the newly launched HMS Greenfly, one of the new Butterfly class vessels available to riverine crews on the Tigris.

However, it was commanding SS Julnar that Humphrey performed the deeds that saw him posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, Britain’s highest award for military valour.

In the Mesopotamia, General Townshend and his men were besieged at the town of Kut-el-Amara. Supplies were dwindling and it soon became apparent to Middle Eastern commanders that any land-based relief would not arrive in time to save the beleaguered Kut garrison.

One last desperate attempt was made to get supplies by using the Tigris River. The Navy regarded the mission as suicidal so only non-married volunteers were allowed to take part.

Lieutenant Firman was given commanded of SS Julnar for the mission. Julnar was a cargo vessel that had been covered in armour plating to protect her against enemy fire.

Sadly, Naval Command’s fears proved correct. The Julnar never made it to Kut.

The 2 February 1917 edition of the London Gazette gives the following details as to Julnar’s ill-fated final journey:

"The General Officer Commanding, Indian Expeditionary Force "D", reported on this attempt in the following words:-

“’At 8 p.m. on April 24th, 1916, with a crew from the Royal Navy under Lieut. Firman, R.N., assisted by Lieut. Comdr. Cowley, R.N.V.R., the ‘Julnar’, carrying 270 tons of supplies, left Falahiyah in an attempt to reach Kut.

"Her departure was covered by all artillery and machine gun fire that could be brought to bear, in the hope of distracting the enemy's attention. She was, however, discovered and shelled on her passage up the river.

"At 1 a.m. on the 25th, Gen. Townshend reported that she had not arrived and that at midnight a burst of heavy firing had been heard at Magasis, some 9 miles from Kut by river, which had suddenly ceased.

"There could be but little doubt that the enterprise had failed, and the next day the Air Service reported the "Julnar" in the hands of the Turks at Magasis.

"The leaders of this brave attempt, Lieut. H.O.B. Firman, R.N., and his assistant, Lieut. Comdr. C.H. Cowley, R.N.V.R. - the latter of whom throughout the campaign in Mesopotamia performed magnificent service in command of the ‘Mejidieh’, - have been reported by the Turks to have been killed; the remainder of the gallant crew, including five wounded, are prisoners of war.

"Knowing well the chances against them, all the gallant officers and men who manned the 'Julnar' for the occasion were volunteers.

"I trust that the services in this connection of Lieut. H.O.B. Firman, R.N., and Lieut. Comdr. C.H. Cowley, R.N.V.R., his assistant, both of whom were unfortunately killed, may be recognised by the posthumous grant of some suitable honour."

"The account of the award is preceded by the following paragraph: - ‘The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officers in recognition of their conspicuous gallantry in an attempt to re-provision the force besieged in Kut-el-Amara.’”

Humphrey’s body was reportedly recovered by Ottoman forces and buried at Magaris. However, his grave was subsequently lost post-war. 

Today, Humphrey is commemorated on the Basra Memorial alongside more than 40,000 Commonwealth service with no known war grave.