Rowland Richard Louis Bourke, VC, DSO (28 November 1885 – 29 August 1958) while serving in the was a Canadian 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. He was serving with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve. Bourke was born in London, England and emigrated to Canada in 1902. He returned to the UK on the outbreak of World War I, and after initially being rejected due to poor eyesight, he enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1916.