BRINSMEAD, Hugh
| Service Number: | 291 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 February 1915, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 23rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Long Gully, Victoria, Australia, 1888 |
| Home Town: | Bendigo, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Marist Brothers' College, Bendigo, Victoria |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Pozieres, France, 4 August 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bendigo Great War Roll of Honor, Bendigo Marist Brothers College Great War Honour Roll, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Feb 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 291, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 May 1915: | Involvement Private, 291, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: '' | |
| 10 May 1915: | Embarked Private, 291, 23rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Melbourne | |
| 2 Sep 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Gallipoli | |
| 3 Oct 1915: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 291, 23rd Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli, BW to hand. Evacuated to Malta. Rejoined unit in Egypt 8 March 1916. | |
| 4 Aug 1916: | Involvement Lance Corporal, 291, 23rd Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 291 awm_unit: 23 Battalion awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1916-08-04 |
Hugh Brinsmead
Hugh Brinsmead was born in Bendigo (Sandhurst) in 1887. He went to the Marist Brothers' School in Bendigo. In about 1911 he obtained work with the Robur Tea Company in Melbourne, which lasted until he enlisted for the War. In late October, 1915, his mother Mary was advised that her son, by then Lance-Corporal Hugh Brinsmead had been wounded at Gallipoli. In November,1915 is was reported that Hugh had disembarked in Malta. Just before Christmas that year it was reported that he was still in hospital in Malta. By March 2, 1916, Hugh had been returned to duty.
On August 4, 1916 Hugh was killed in action at age 27. He was aboard the torpedoed transport Southland and took part in the famous engagement at Lone Pine. The newspaper account noted that Mrs. Brinsmead also had a second son, Private James Brinsmead, serving and that he had just celebrated his 21st birthday, in Egypt.
Source:http://www.brinsmead.net/downunder/du7hughandmary.html
Submitted 11 September 2020 by Jack Coyne
Biography contributed by Robert Wight
Son of Mary and the late Hugh BRINSMEAD, 104 Richardson Street, Albert Park, Victoria
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
LANCE-CORPORAL H. BRINSMEAD.
Mrs. M. Brinsmead, of No. 22 Moran street, has been informed that her second eldest son, Lance-Corporal H. Brinsmead, has been wounded in Gallipoli. Lance Corporal Brinsmead is 26 years of age, and for the past four years had been employed by the Robur Tea Company, Melbourne. He is an "old boy" of the Marist Bros.' School, Bendigo. Mrs. Brinsmead has also received word that her nephew,. Corporal J. O'Loughlin, has disembarked at Malta, slightly ill.
BENDIGO SOLDIER'S
DEATH.
PTE. H. BRINSMEAD.
Mrs. M. Brinsmead, of 22 Moran street, Bendigo has received the following letter from the French front in regard to the death of her son,
Pte. H. Brinsmead: —
France, October 31st, 1916.
Dear Mrs. Brinsmead, I am writing to express to you the deep sympathy of the officers and men of the 23rd Battalion and of myself in the great loss you have sustained through the death of your son, Pte. H. Brinsmead, No. 291. He was a good and brave soldier arid met his death in the fearless discharge of his duty. He was faithful unto death. It will help to comfort you in the coming days to remember that he gave his life for his King and country and the principles of righteousness and humanity for which we are fighting. I am sure, too, that he is still in the loving keeping of the good Father of us all, for death itseiif cannot separate His children from Him. I pray that He, who has called your boy to greater work in the better world, will give to you that comfort and help which will support you in your time of loneliness and grief. Again expressing my deep sympathy and with kindest regards, I am, yours very sincerely, Percy Bladen, Chaplain, 23rd Battalion.
France, December 1.
Mrs. Brinsmead:— Dear Madam:
It deeply grieves me to have to convey to you the sad news that your son Jim was killed in action a couple of days ago. I assure you that you have my deepest sympathy in your hour of sorrow. I know these words must look like the ordinary stereo-typed phrase coming from a stranger, but, I, too, have bad my share of sorrow since I left Australia, so I know how you must feel. I trust you will not take this letter as presumption on my part, but I have known Jim for many months, and counted him as one of my friends. Also I was his sergeant for a few months, and had already been in action with him, and cannot speak too highly of his good qualities both as a soldier and a pal ; always lively and cheerful, and at all times ready to obey and carry out orders. In fact, I numbered him high up amongst my best and most reliable men, and although a lad, he was a man, and a brave one, too. I am sure that even in your sorrow you must feel proud of him. I have seen him during a heavy bombardment when older men have been nervous — and I can assure you it was trying at times — Jim would be laughing and joking, and by his example steady the other men on post who were with him. On another occasion, when we had some men wounded lying out in front, I was instructed by the O.C. to call for volunteers to act as stretcher bearers, and he was one of the first to go out. On other occasions when I had to go out in front with wire parties to repair the tanglements he was always ready, and one of the first to offer to go out with me. So you can see by these few incidents I could not look on him otherwise than as a pal. He was verv unfortunate in getting hit as his feet had got very sore with the weather, and he was going to hospital for a spell when a shell exploded close to him, and a small piece hit him, unluckily in a vital spot. I collected his pay book and disc and beads, and handed them to my officer. They will be forwarded to you in due course. I am encloseing a medallion which he wore round his neck, and I overlooked it when handing in his other effects. I thought you may want it as a keep-sake. Two of the boys assisted to lay him to rest, and I put a small cross over his grave. It was unfortunate, but it's the fortune of war, and God only knows whose turn it is next. One thing I do know is that a mother has lost a good son and others a good friend. Should it be my lot to get through safely and return, I will call and tell you more fully than I can by writing. One thing I am assured of is that vou must feel proud of such a son, and let it be some consolation he died doing his duly to his country — I remain yours in deepest sympathy,
2896 R. Shearer Sergeant C Co.,
57th Battalion,"
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