Gilbert Joseph Brinsden
Extract from Family history book.
GILBERT JOSEPH BRINSDEN: Born 5th June 1878, Kingston, Victoria, Australia. Died 12 October 1917, Action in France/Paschendale - 1st World War.
He ran the Kingston shop and regularly took a horse drawn wagon to Ballarat to collect supplies.
The Argus Melbourne Thurs 5 March 1914
“ The following additions to the list of justices of the peace were approved yesterday by the State Executive Council; Central bailiwick. Mr John Henry Stone of Park Crescent, Fairfield; Southern bailiwick, Mr Gilbert Joseph Brinsden of Kingston………”
In his thirties he was sent a letter from an unknown female with a white feather in it, a method used to accuse someone of being a coward. Despite the fact that he was in his late thirties and running the shop before and after his father died, he enlisted. He arrived in France about July 1917 and was killed in October after a few campaigns. His body was not found. His name is on a memorial at Passchendaele. Ypres, Menin Gate, Ieper West - Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 7 -17-23-25-27-29-31. Ieper was then Ypres - a town in West Flanders. The memorial is on the eastern side of the town on the road to Menin and Courtrai. He is recorded as Lance Corporal 3116, 37th Battalion, Australian Infantry AIF. Killed in Ypres Salient. Peter Brinsden inherited his watch and Harold kept copies of letters and photos.
GILBERT JOSEPH BRINSDEN: Born 5th June 1878, Kingston, Victoria, Australia. Died 12 October 1917, Action in France/Paschendale - 1st World War.
He ran the Kingston shop and regularly took a horse drawn wagon to Ballarat to collect supplies.
The Argus Melbourne Thurs 5 March 1914
“ The following additions to the list of justices of the peace were approved yesterday by the State Executive Council; Central bailiwick. Mr John Henry Stone of Park Crescent, Fairfield; Southern bailiwick, Mr Gilbert Joseph Brinsden of Kingston………”
In his thirties he was sent a letter from an unknown female with a white feather in it, a method used to accuse someone of being a coward. Despite the fact that he was in his late thirties and running the shop before and after his father died, he enlisted. He arrived in France about July 1917 and was killed in October after a few campaigns. His body was not found. His name is on a memorial at Passchendaele. Ypres, Menin Gate, Ieper West - Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 7 -17-23-25-27-29-31. Ieper was then Ypres - a town in West Flanders. The memorial is on the eastern side of the town on the road to Menin and Courtrai. He is recorded as Lance Corporal 3116, 37th Battalion, Australian Infantry AIF. Killed in Ypres Salient. Peter Brinsden inherited his watch and Harold kept copies of letters and photos.
A headstone in the Creswick Cemetery has the following insciption:
In loving memory of
Gilbert Joseph
Beloved son of Samuel and Georgina Brinsden
Killed in action in Flanders
Oct. 12th 1917
Aged 39 years
In loving memory of
Gilbert Joseph
Beloved son of Samuel and Georgina Brinsden
Killed in action in Flanders
Oct. 12th 1917
Aged 39 years
Also in the Kingston Avenue of honour. Tree - West 16 - Brinsden G.J died in action in Flanders.
A letter written by Gilbert in 1916 & 1917.
South Yarra
10.12.16
My dear Sam,
I am off on Saturday next by the "Thedic" I am to get my sea kit tomorrow. I tried to get home but all leave has been stopped as we must be on parade on Monday morning.
I am glad you were able to get down before I sailed. I hope to be able to see Fred on my way across.
I hope you will have a good season and when I return which I quite expect to do I hope you will have found your feet and be able to indulge in some of the comforts of life. I will write to you occasionally but if I do not Jane will pass on the news as she receives my letters.
Good bye and good luck
Your affectionate brother
Bert.
South Yarra
10.12.16
My dear Sam,
I am off on Saturday next by the "Thedic" I am to get my sea kit tomorrow. I tried to get home but all leave has been stopped as we must be on parade on Monday morning.
I am glad you were able to get down before I sailed. I hope to be able to see Fred on my way across.
I hope you will have a good season and when I return which I quite expect to do I hope you will have found your feet and be able to indulge in some of the comforts of life. I will write to you occasionally but if I do not Jane will pass on the news as she receives my letters.
Good bye and good luck
Your affectionate brother
Bert.
France
30.9.17
My dear Brothers & sister,
We marched from our billets on Tuesday last marching 8 miles that afternoon, on Wed. we did 18 miles, Thursday 16 miles, & Friday 4 1/2 miles, arriving at our present camp at 11 a.m. It is no use saying I was not tired. Everybody was pretty well done up, and were glad when we reached our destination. We billeted in wayside farm buildings each night & with plenty of straw were pretty comfortable. We passed through a couple of good sized towns & innumerable villages. The country was pretty much the same right through. As we got on our journey, we could hear the roar of the guns more clearly. At the present they are going some. As tremendous bombardments started at 2 a.m. this ( Sun) morning & has been going ever since. We had Church Parade & Communion on the parade ground, to the accompaniment of the guns, this morning. It made me think what a strange world this is. Two nations both professing Christianity doing their utmost to strangle one another within the hearing of the Padre, who was exhorting his hearers to do the right thing, and play the man. I could not help noticing while the whole exercise was on, how quiet the camp was. This makes the guns sound much ..?. I have seen 2 air duets, but they were both some distance off and "Fritz" got away each time. Walter Rick ( of Kingston) came to see me last night. He looks well, & so far has got through alright. Poor old Norm Johannsen was killed on the 20th. His brother Harry came and told me about it yesterday. The officer who is going over with us is Capt. P. Fowl of the Chemist family in Ballarat. He is 2nd in command of our Company, but the boys say he is a fine man, & is very popular. We have all been issued with the green envelopes for our letters today. No letters will be ( posted ?) from here, so I must play the game & not say anything that might give the enemy information if it comes into their hands. Only one envelope for each man has been issued. I am giving my pocket book to quartermaster Len Turner before we leave, & he will forward it on to you, in case of me being killed, and I will be able to get it again if I go alright. Must close now, with kind regards to all my friends, especially Hilda.
With much love & affection to you all
Your loving brother
Bert.
30.9.17
My dear Brothers & sister,
We marched from our billets on Tuesday last marching 8 miles that afternoon, on Wed. we did 18 miles, Thursday 16 miles, & Friday 4 1/2 miles, arriving at our present camp at 11 a.m. It is no use saying I was not tired. Everybody was pretty well done up, and were glad when we reached our destination. We billeted in wayside farm buildings each night & with plenty of straw were pretty comfortable. We passed through a couple of good sized towns & innumerable villages. The country was pretty much the same right through. As we got on our journey, we could hear the roar of the guns more clearly. At the present they are going some. As tremendous bombardments started at 2 a.m. this ( Sun) morning & has been going ever since. We had Church Parade & Communion on the parade ground, to the accompaniment of the guns, this morning. It made me think what a strange world this is. Two nations both professing Christianity doing their utmost to strangle one another within the hearing of the Padre, who was exhorting his hearers to do the right thing, and play the man. I could not help noticing while the whole exercise was on, how quiet the camp was. This makes the guns sound much ..?. I have seen 2 air duets, but they were both some distance off and "Fritz" got away each time. Walter Rick ( of Kingston) came to see me last night. He looks well, & so far has got through alright. Poor old Norm Johannsen was killed on the 20th. His brother Harry came and told me about it yesterday. The officer who is going over with us is Capt. P. Fowl of the Chemist family in Ballarat. He is 2nd in command of our Company, but the boys say he is a fine man, & is very popular. We have all been issued with the green envelopes for our letters today. No letters will be ( posted ?) from here, so I must play the game & not say anything that might give the enemy information if it comes into their hands. Only one envelope for each man has been issued. I am giving my pocket book to quartermaster Len Turner before we leave, & he will forward it on to you, in case of me being killed, and I will be able to get it again if I go alright. Must close now, with kind regards to all my friends, especially Hilda.
With much love & affection to you all
Your loving brother
Bert.
France 8/10/17
My dear ones at Home,
I am thankful to say I have come through my first stunt without a scratch. We went into action on the 4th. and came out at 8a.m. on the 7th. We gave Fritz an awful licking and gained all our objectives in about two hours. He made numerous counter attacks during that day, but all were beaten off. Our casualties were considered light, but to me they seemed pretty bad. the percentage of deaths was light, most of those wounded received it in the legs and arms. I will not try and describe the battle, may do so later. It is one of the things in my life I would like to forget - I stood it all wonderfully well, but when we got back to our billets my nerves were a bit shaky. At present I am feeling O.K. All our men have been accounted.
Our barrage is wonderful in its awfulness, if I can coin such an expression. Our fellows could go to Berlin behind it. It is like millions of packets of crackers being let go at once, only the noise is of course much greater. When it bursts first, it is deafening, but you get used to it later on.
We are at present resting, but expect to go in again shortly. The battle field beggars description. To say that it is a continuation of shell holes, gives you no idea of what it is like; however it will be prepared for the plough again I do not know. In one place a crop was just beginning to show through, with an old plough in the centre. The more I see of war, the more I am convinced that some other means of settling international differences will have to be used. All my pals are all right, and helped to polish off the good things that were waiting for me when we came out.
There were parcels from home, Charl and dear old Beat besides the silk underwear from Fred, sent through Charl. Beat's contained a pair of warm sox, which were very welcome as we did not get our packs until next day. A complete change of underclothing was issued round, but I find the issue sox very hard. I am fortunate to have got this lot and at such an opportune time. Ken's photo arrived also: what a bonza kid he has grown. No wonder Fred is so proud of him. I wrote the latter not to send it if it was large, but evidently he did not get my letter, but as it is I am glad to have seen it. I have sent it to Nell Vasey for safe custody. The chaplain is sending it on for me. He was right through the stunt, helping at the dressing stations. he is a grand old man.
I cannot send you a cable from here, but will do so if I get through the next stunt. I have not received any papers for months, but from what I have seen, the boys get them when they are not claimed. it is generally understood that if the addressee has moved on, they will not be forwarded. parcels and letters are different, except with regard to the former, when a man gets wounded, the parcels are then opened up and distributed amongst the boys. If I have the bad luck to get hit, you will know not to send any unless care of Mrs Vasey. I received letters from Hilda, Alice Smythe and Mr. Japp also Charl and Janie 3. I am glad Arn accepted Mr Morrish's offer and with the action taken in regard to the business.
I thank God most sincerely that I have come through so far and trust that He will continue to watch over me throughout this trying time. It seems marvellous that anyone comes out of this terrible business without injury, and it makes me feel that there is an unseen hand guarding us.
I am hoping to get this letter through, but think it will be pretty difficult. I have sent you a field card however, which should reach you alright.
Our Brigadier told us that this is one of the biggest and most successful stunts during the war. The Australians came out with glowing colours, which shows that new men are made of the same stuff as the Anzacs. It was a proud moment when some English officers met a few of us on the field and congratulated us on our success. One of them, a Major, thought we ought to have been allowed to go further, but the artillery had to be considered.
Give my kind regards to Hilda, Miss Wilkie and Miss Parker also all my friends. Much love and affection for you all,
Your loving brother,
Bert Brinsden
My dear ones at Home,
I am thankful to say I have come through my first stunt without a scratch. We went into action on the 4th. and came out at 8a.m. on the 7th. We gave Fritz an awful licking and gained all our objectives in about two hours. He made numerous counter attacks during that day, but all were beaten off. Our casualties were considered light, but to me they seemed pretty bad. the percentage of deaths was light, most of those wounded received it in the legs and arms. I will not try and describe the battle, may do so later. It is one of the things in my life I would like to forget - I stood it all wonderfully well, but when we got back to our billets my nerves were a bit shaky. At present I am feeling O.K. All our men have been accounted.
Our barrage is wonderful in its awfulness, if I can coin such an expression. Our fellows could go to Berlin behind it. It is like millions of packets of crackers being let go at once, only the noise is of course much greater. When it bursts first, it is deafening, but you get used to it later on.
We are at present resting, but expect to go in again shortly. The battle field beggars description. To say that it is a continuation of shell holes, gives you no idea of what it is like; however it will be prepared for the plough again I do not know. In one place a crop was just beginning to show through, with an old plough in the centre. The more I see of war, the more I am convinced that some other means of settling international differences will have to be used. All my pals are all right, and helped to polish off the good things that were waiting for me when we came out.
There were parcels from home, Charl and dear old Beat besides the silk underwear from Fred, sent through Charl. Beat's contained a pair of warm sox, which were very welcome as we did not get our packs until next day. A complete change of underclothing was issued round, but I find the issue sox very hard. I am fortunate to have got this lot and at such an opportune time. Ken's photo arrived also: what a bonza kid he has grown. No wonder Fred is so proud of him. I wrote the latter not to send it if it was large, but evidently he did not get my letter, but as it is I am glad to have seen it. I have sent it to Nell Vasey for safe custody. The chaplain is sending it on for me. He was right through the stunt, helping at the dressing stations. he is a grand old man.
I cannot send you a cable from here, but will do so if I get through the next stunt. I have not received any papers for months, but from what I have seen, the boys get them when they are not claimed. it is generally understood that if the addressee has moved on, they will not be forwarded. parcels and letters are different, except with regard to the former, when a man gets wounded, the parcels are then opened up and distributed amongst the boys. If I have the bad luck to get hit, you will know not to send any unless care of Mrs Vasey. I received letters from Hilda, Alice Smythe and Mr. Japp also Charl and Janie 3. I am glad Arn accepted Mr Morrish's offer and with the action taken in regard to the business.
I thank God most sincerely that I have come through so far and trust that He will continue to watch over me throughout this trying time. It seems marvellous that anyone comes out of this terrible business without injury, and it makes me feel that there is an unseen hand guarding us.
I am hoping to get this letter through, but think it will be pretty difficult. I have sent you a field card however, which should reach you alright.
Our Brigadier told us that this is one of the biggest and most successful stunts during the war. The Australians came out with glowing colours, which shows that new men are made of the same stuff as the Anzacs. It was a proud moment when some English officers met a few of us on the field and congratulated us on our success. One of them, a Major, thought we ought to have been allowed to go further, but the artillery had to be considered.
Give my kind regards to Hilda, Miss Wilkie and Miss Parker also all my friends. Much love and affection for you all,
Your loving brother,
Bert Brinsden
