John Philip Brooke-Little became a Pursuivant in the College of Arms in 1956, a Herald in 1967, Norroy and Ulster King of Arms in 1980 and, finally, Clarenceux King of Arms in 1995. He demitted that last office as he was required to do, on reaching the age of seventy

     The greatest of his achievements, outside his service to the British Crown at the College of Arms, were the founding of The Heraldry Society in 1947 and, in 1950, The Coat of Arms, heraldic magazine.

     Commander John Brooke-Little (he was a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) was a years-long good acquaintance of mine. His intellectual help was frequently indispensable for the revival of Russia`s heraldry, especially on the initial stages in 1988-1994.

     It was especially encouraging that John Brooke-Little, as Honorary Editor, kindly published in his magazine my rather lengthy account about the years-long exploration of the burial place where the remnants of the murdered last Tsar, Nicholas II, and his family were found.
     Thanks to JB-L, my account was published in The Coat of Arms, N.S. Volume VIII, No. 148, Winter 1989, pp. 138-140. The publication was warmly welcomed by the western heraldic society, and I received a great lot of positive opinions. Yet, let`s not forget that the Communist régime still held sway over Russia at that hectic time, and the consequences of the publication might well have become unpredictable for me.

     God permitting, I will always keep, as a perfect treasure, JB-L`s personal letters to me from the late 80s and early 90s, as well as several heraldic books and brochures that he was kind enough as to donate to the Russian College of Heraldry.

     John Philip Brooke-Little passed away on Tuesday, 13th February 2006. His death will create a very great loss to all who knew him.

     Valery Yegorov
     17th February 2006, Russia

With the Saints
give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Thy servant John,
where there is neither sickness, nor sorrow,
nor sighing, but life everlasting.
Amen.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE




John Brooke-Little`s Armorial Bearings, shown here,
were executed by Anthony Wood, SHA
a famous Calligrapher, Illuminator & Heraldic Artist

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Grand Duke Vladimir    †    David Johnson    †    Margaret Wood

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John Simmons    †    Prince Bao Long    †    Back to OBITUARY

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