Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of Alice Brinsmead, of 16, Norton Rd., Wembley, Middx., and the late Horace G. Brinsmead.

HE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AND ENTERED INTO ETERNAL REST

Gained Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate at Royal Naval Flying School, Eastchurch on 27 August 1915

Flight Sub-Lieutenant Cecil Horace Brinsmead, 3rd Wing Royal Naval Air Service, was shot down off Seddülbahir by Hauptman Hans Schüz [1] and killed on 11th January 1916. His photograph was published on 29th January 1916. [2]

“AIRMAN BRINSMEAD KILLED.

“Official notification has been received by relatives that Fight Sub-Lieut. Cecil Horace Brinsmead has been killed on active service. He left for the Mediterranean at the end of October, and writing from Imbros on November 19 said — “I have been appointed to a squadron, for which I am very pleased, it is a wing that does all work, which consists of spotting and reconnaissance and bomb-dropping on the Peninsula (Gallipoli) and Bulgaria.”

“The deceased officer, who was 22, was a son of the late Mr Horace Brinsmead, one of the finest amateur boxers of his day, and some time managing director of the well-known piano firm.” [3]

“Flight Sub Lieutenant C. H. Brinsmead, as announced in our last issue, was killed in action on Jan. 11. He was born Sydney on July 10, 1893, the second son of the late Horace E. Brinsmead, sometime managing director of John Brinsmead and Sons, the pianoforte manufacturers. Sub-Lieutenant Brinsmead was educated at Mr. Cherrill’s School in Hampstead and at the University College School. He became apprentice in the merchant service, and when war began, being anxious to serve his country with as little delay as possible, he put in for both the Army and the Navy, hoping to secure a commission in one or the other Service, and by a coincidence was gazetted simultaneously to a 2nd Lieutenancy and to a Flight Sub-Lieutenancy. He chose the latter commission, and speedily won distinction at Eastchurch and on Salisbury Plain as a skilful airman. He left this country on Oct. 30, and is among the first fall for his country in the new campaign now opening near Salonika. His younger brother, Noel, [4] was severely wounded in the second battle of Ypres in May last.” [5]

Buried in Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Cape Helles, he was the 22 year-old son of Alice Maud Mary Brinsmead, of 16 Norton Road, Wembley, Middlesex, and the late Horace George Brinsmead (d. 21st July 1908).

His observer, Lieutenant Noel Henry Boles, 2nd Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment, attached 3rd Naval Wing, Royal Naval Air Service, was also killed. Boles is buried in the adjacent plot to Brinsmead in Lancashire Landing Cemetery.