Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

"A" Company, 5th Battalion The Black Watch, British Army

Awarded on:

December 21st, 1944

Citation:
"At Colombelles on 11th July, 1944, the (5th) Battalion carried out an attack on the factory area, at which time Captain Brodie was commanding ‘A’ Company.
After the Battalion had successfully occupied the objectives, it was subjected to a heavy counterattack and very severe enemy shelling; eventually, it was ordered to withdraw. The leading companies were ordered to withdraw through Captain Brodie’s Company, and this movement was successfully executed. Throughout the battle Captain Brodie’s conduct was exemplary and was an inspiration to all around him. On being ordered to withdraw himself, he deferred doing so until he had recovered a 17 pounder gun in his area. He personally, helped to manhandle this gun out of its pit, under very severe shell fire, and he obtained a carrier with which to tow the gun away. During this period Captain Brodie was badly wounded, but he refused to relax his efforts to recover the gun; and it was only when it was found impossible to attach the gun to the carrier which he had secured, that he consented to withdraw.

Captain Brodie’s courage and devotion to duty were outstanding throughout the action."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Unit:

"D" Company, 5th Battalion The Black Watch, British Army

Awarded on:

May 10th, 1945

Awarded for:

Operation Veritable

Citation:
“On 20th February, 1945, the (5th) Battalion attacked South of Goch, to capture three strongly held positions on the enemy line of communications. Major Brodie, commanding ‘D’ Company, has as his objective a house and trenches strongly held by the enemy. When some 200 yards from the position, his company came under withering fire from several enemy machine guns in and around the house, and the advance was checked. Realising that the situation called for desperate measures, Major Brodie immediately dashed forward with a few men completely regardless of the intense enemy fire. On the way to the house he shot dead with his revolver two enemy machine-gunners in a pit and continued straight to the house where he forced an entry with his revolver and grenades. During this time he was twice wounded in the legs, but he paid no attention to the wounds. His company were so inspired by his action that they followed after him and cleaned up the enemy posts near the house, and the remaining enemy in the house, collecting some 37 prisoners. There were still some enemies in an orchard and building nearby who were firing bazookas and machine guns at his position.
Undeterred by this fire or by the considerable pain of his wounds, Major Brodie now assaulted this position with five men. During this assault he was twice more wounded, but continued undaunted to storm the position and kill or capture the enemy in it. By now he was weak from loss of blood, but would not allow himself to be evacuated until he had reorganised his position satisfactorily. He completed this so well that at dawn when his company was counter attacked by two self-propelled guns and infantry, it was able to beat them off. Major Brodie’s courageous and heroic leadership, his dauntless determination and devotion to duty, were largely responsible for the capture of a vital position, which completely dominated the main Goch road."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

Awarded on:

May 31st, 1956

Awarded for his work in Beirut.