© P.Blanche 1998

ADMIRAL SIR GEORGE ROOKE [d. 1708*]

The Rooke family once had an estate at St. Lawrence in Canterbury next to the area which is the Kent County Cricket grounds. Originally purchased by Sir William Rooke from the Hales family who had obtained title to it after it ceased being a Hospital for leprous nuns. Its use for this purpose went back to the 12th Century when it housed both monks and nuns.

The Rooke Memorial - The Warriors' Chapel ©P.E.Blanche 1998

The Memorial for Admiral Sir George Rooke is, as the name implies, only a memorial. The Admiral was actually buried at the Church of St. Paul's, just outside the City Walls between The Burgate and the old cemetery gates of St. Augustine's Abbey. Sir George was famous for his actions in the taking of Gibraltar for The Crown in 1704 and was promoted to Rear Admiral "of The Red" as a result. The tablet on this memorial in The Warriors' Chapel quotes his rank as being a Vice Admiral. Soon after his success at Gibraltar, Sir George retired to the family estate in Canterbury but did not live long enough to really enjoy this retirement.