Captain Thomas Joseph Brundrit MiD
by Robert Simpson
Thomas Joseph Brundrit was born in Hamilton, Upper North Pine, Caboolture on 15th October 1882, and his service record records it as Terrors Creek, Petrie in Queensland. (The town was first called Hamilton, then Terrors Creek and now Dayboro.) It is recorded in Queensland birth, marriages and deaths as Brundret, but maybe a transcription error. He was the only son of William Brundrit and Catherine Edith McIvor. William had been born on 25th November 1845 in Stretford Lancashire England and had migrated to Australia about November 1868 on the Hydrabad, arriving in Melbourne in January 1869. On 21st March 1877 an apprehension was listed in the New South Wales Police Gazette which reads “William Brundrit, charged with embezzling 11 pounds 17 shillings, the money of his master, Robert Holl, storekeeper, Browning, has been arrested by Senior-constable McGee and Constable Colgan, Murrumburrah Police. Remanded.” The outcome is not known. William married Catherine Edith Hamilton in Trinity Church at Fortitude Valley in Brisbane on 18th December 1879. She had been previously married to Hugh Hamilton on 19th December 1861 in Queensland. Catherine was born in Scotland on 4th January 1846 with the surname McIvor. They had seven children together before Hugh (born in Ayrshire Scotland in 1832) passed away on 10th March 1878. William was apparently the local terrors Creek Schoolmaster at the time Thomas was born.
Thomas had a younger sister, Elizabeth Louisa McIvor Brundrit born on 4th August 1880 in Caboolture, and an older sister, Annie Eleanor Bancroft Brundrit, born on 12th March 1885 at Caboolture. On 1st May 1880, William joined the Queensland Public Service. In 1882, they purchased some country land in Samsonvale. Also in 1882, William transferred a brand from Hugh Hamilton to himself at North Pine, and in January 1892 it was transferred back. William was to be a Clerk at the Department of Registrar-General in 1885, as noted in the Queensland Government Gazette. Mrs W Brundrit of Hamilton ran a non-official Post Office in 1888 there. A record has her occupation as Postmistress. The 1890, the directory had them living on the left side of Bridge Street and William was listed as a Clerk in the Registrar-General’s Department. In 1891 and 1892, he was a Class IV Clerk and Accountant in the Register-General’s Office. He was to be an Accountant in Insolvency and Intestacy from 1st October 1892, and in 1893 he was listed as a Clerk in the Office of Trustee in Insolvency. His salary was 350 pounds a year. Another entry has him as Class IV Accountant in Intestacy and Insanity. The positon added Insolvency next year and in 1900, he rose to Class III. He held that level until his death and in 1912 he was listed as Accountant and Clerk. William was also a Commissioner of the Peace.
Thomas attended the Normal School, and spent his later schooling at Brisbane Grammar School from 1896 to 1899. He was regarded as “industrious and well behaved” and represented Queensland at interstate rowing while attending the school. In 1899, Thomas passed the Junior New South Wales Public Examination while at Brisbane Boys Grammar School. By 1903, the family was living at Milne Street in Clayfield, a suburb of Brisbane. William was listed as a civil servant in that roll, an occupation he had for the rest of his life. Thomas was listed as a bank clerk. By the 1905 and 1908 electoral rolls, the family had moved to a property called High Clare (or Highclere) in Old Sandgate Road and Thomas was still a bank clerk. An article in the Brisbane Courier of 30th November 1910 read “Mrs. W. Brundrit, Highclere, Old Sandgate road, will not be at home tomorrow, nor again during the summer months.” In the 1913 electoral roll, Thomas had moved to Monkland in Gympie and was a public servant. The family was still living in High Clare, but on 17th March 1913, William passed away. He was buried in Toowong cemetery the next day. In 1914, the Queensland Government Gazette listed that T. J. Brundrit was to be an Acting Land Ranger.
In his service records, his educational qualifications were listed as: – State School Scholarship, Sydney University junior examination, Queensland Institute of Accountants Degree of Fellowship, Local Auditors Board Certificate (Queensland). He previously served as Honorary Lieutenant and Quartermaster 1st (C.Q.) Light Horse (Headquarters in Gympie) from 31/03/13 to date (with Major Glasgow) and previously efficient ”A” Company Queensland Volunteer Rifles 1900.
He joined the 5th Light Horse Regiment AIF on 22nd September 1914 at the age of 31 years and 11 months. The 5th LHR had been raised in Brisbane from only enlistments in Queensland and formed part of the 2nd Brigade. Thomas was listed as a Land Ranger and had served 1 year with the Queensland Rifles and was now with the Queensland Mounted 1st (Central Queensland) Light Horse since 31st March 1913. He had never been an apprentice, nor was he married. His mother was listed as next of kin, as his father was deceased. Thomas enlisted at Gympie. His physical description was: height 5 foot 5½ inches tall, weighed 126 pounds, chest measurement of 32 to 34 inches, of dark complexion with brown eyes and hair. His religious denomination was Episcopalian. His term of service was for the duration of the war and 4 months after. On his application for a Commission form, his present civil employment was written as Crown Lands Ranger, Innisfail, with his postal address as Innisfail at present, lately sent from Gympie. It was also noted his eyesight was 6/6 in both eyes.
On the Nominal Roll for the 2nd Light Horse Brigade, 5th Light Horse Regiment; who embarked at Sydney on transport A34 Persic on 21st December 1914; Thomas was listed as Honorary Lieutenant (Quartermaster), age 31, a Crown Lands ranger of Innisfail and single. His religion was Church of England. Mrs Catherine Brundrit of Christian Street in Albion Brisbane (his mother) was listed as his next of kin. He joined on 28th September 1914. He was serving with the 1st (Central Queensland) Light Horse AMF unit at his date of enlistment. Thomas was paid 15 shillings a day, of which he was getting 5 shillings and 6 pence, with 9 shillings being allotted to Australia and the rest deferred. They arrived in Aden on 20th January 1915 and landed in Alexandria on 1st February 1915. The Regiment trained at Maadi until 15th May and then returned to Alexandria. They sailed from there and landed at Anzac Cove on 20th May. Of the men who landed in May, 87 of them (including Thomas) had been without a break.
On 5th July 1915, he was appointed as 2nd Lieutenant and was promoted to Lieutenant with the 5th Light Horse on 1st September 1915. He relinquished his position of Quartermaster and too up a troop in October 1915. On the 9th, he was sent out with a party of men to bring a wounded Turkish deserter in. They moved out with plenty of covering fire available if necessary. The deserter was picked up by a stretcher party, while the advance party shot at a Turkish group approaching. They all got safely back to the lines. Both General Birdwood (Corps Commander) and General Walker (Divisional Commander) sent their congratulations to Lieutenant Brundrit on his exploit. Thomas was promoted to be Temporary Captain on 15th October. Towards the end of October, the Turks were seen extending their trenches below the Bird Trenches. In early November, he was involved in pushing trenches forward to stop the Turks creating trenches that could be used to fire on Australian positions.
A covering part, under Thomas, was sent out with a work party to take control of old Turkish trenches, connect them to the forward tunnel and strengthen them with sandbags and barbed wire. The defences were finished before the Turkish made their attacks on the 4th November, with all attacks being repulsed. More rifle pits were opened on the night of the 5th. On the 7th, instructions were given to advance the Post to another old Turkish trench which would enable enfilade fire to be brought on the first Turkish barricade. At 8pm on the 7th, Captain Brundrit and his party moved out and occupied the trench, with traverses, parapets and a communication trench prepared. Barbed wire was put in front of the new position. This was all done while under fire from the Turks. Thomas was a “splendid example to his men of (his) contempt of danger, (he) was emptying his revolver at a range of some fifteen yards into a group of Turkish riflemen, when he was shot through the head.”
Thomas was killed in action at Harris Ridge in southern Anzac on 8th November 1915. He was buried in Shell Green cemetery at Gallipoli in plot 1. A. 3. CWGC has listed him in the index for Shell Green Cemetery as Capt. Thomas Joseph Brundrit of the 5th Light Horse. Killed in action 8th November 1915. Son of William and Catherine Brundrit. Native of Brisbane, Queensland. His grave on Gallipoli has no epitaph. The Schedule of Burials form has him listed on row A, Grave Number 3 in Plot 1, with an old number of 1.3. All other details listed in that form are as before, and the officiating Chaplain was W. E. Dexter. His service record stated he was buried in Shell green Cemetery No. 1, about 1150 yards south of Anzac Cove. A cable from Alexandria confirmed he was killed in action on 8th November.
Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, the Commanding Officer of the 5th Light Horse Regiment, wrote in his report of the operation on Harris Ridge, “I wish to draw attention to the services of the following officers and NCO’s during these operations … Capt. T.J. Brundrit – This officer had charge of the covering party on the occasion of two advances. On the other nights he was posted at the front traverse. He displayed energy and by his example infused the proper spirit into his men. Unfortunately he was killed during the night of the second advance.”
The Headmaster of Brisbane Grammar School wrote “In one raid by the 5th Light Horse, on 8th November, 1915, Captain T. J. Brundrit was in charge of an advance party. There was a fierce struggle with bombs, revolvers and rifles, and after killing two Turks with his revolver at a few yards range, Captain Brundrit fell, shot through the head. He was the last of our Old Boys to fall on Gallipoli.” A memorial plaque was erected at the school for him, by his friends in the 5th Light Horse Regiment.
In the Roll of Honour in The Queenslander of 17th November 1915, was an entry- “BRUNDRIT. – At Gallipoli, Monday November 7th, 1915, Captain Thomas Joseph (Tibby) Brundrit. A heart that felt all others’ woe, A brain most swift to plan, A soul too big to fear a foe, In brief – a man. “
Obviously they made an error with the date.
Thomas was Mentioned in Despatches as Honorary Lieutenant in the 5th Light Horse Regiment Australian Cavalry and it was promulgated in the London Gazette of 13th July 1916 on page 6954. He was mentioned for distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of Sir Charles Munro’s command of the MEF. It seems he was recommended twice. The first time reads Captain Thomas Joseph Brundrit (killed in action) of the 5th Light Horse Regiment on 3rd to 9th November 1915 at ANZAC. “On the night of the 3rd/4th Novr. A forward movement on a pre-arranged plan was made towards the Bird trenches. The arrangements involved the reconnaissance by night of the enemy’s front, and the construction of a tunnel towards a knoll a 100 yds. distant. The forward movement, the unopposed occupation of the knoll, and the construction of a fire trench were completed on 3/4th Novr., On the night of 4/5th Novr., the enemy made 4 unsuccessful attempts on the new position, which was improved and consolidated during the 5th, under heavy rifle and shell fire. On the night of 7/8th Novr., a further advance of 30 yds. was made under enemy bombing and rifle fire, and the position finally secured. Captain Brundrit commanded the covering party for each of the two advances. On the other nights he was posted at the front traverse. He displayed energy and gallantry, and by his example infused the proper spirit into his men.”
The next recommendation reads that he was Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) and that he had been previously recommended in Army Corps Order on 8th December 1915. It is broken into two parts which read “Oct. 9th, 1915 Anzac. This Officer took out immediately after dusk a party of 25 men to a point 600 yards south of our right flank along the beach where a Turkish deserter was lying wounded. A Turkish party on a similar errand was met with in a few yards of the wounded man and at 10 yards range. Some were killed and the rest put to flight. The wounded deserter was brought into our lines without any casualties to us. 3rd to 5th Nov., 1915 Anzac. This Officer had charge of a covering party on the occasion of the two advances at Wilson’s Look Out. Heavy fighting occurred during the six days at all of which this Officer was present. He was killed on the last mentioned date. This officer was present on the peninsula from 20th May until his death without any break.”
An entry in his record on 14th November 1915 stated his temporary rank lapses on account of his death.
In The Queenslander newspaper of 11th December 1915, a Personal Note stated “Mrs. C. Brundrit, Christian-street, Albion, Brisbane, mother of the late Captain Thomas Joseph Brundrit, who was killed in action on November 9 at Gallipoli, has received the following letter from the official secretary of the Governor-General (Sir R. Munro Ferguson):- “I am desired by His Excellency the Governor-General to transmit to you the following message from their Majesties the King and Queen: ‘The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the army have sustained by the death of your son in the service of his country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow.’ In addition to the above message, I am desired by the Governor-General to express their Excellencies’ heartfelt sympathy with you on the death of this gallant officer, who fell fighting for his country and Empire.””
Catherine was receiving a pension for his service, which was increased from 6th January 1916 to 3 pounds 17 shillings and 6 pence per fortnight. Another statement of war pension claims form said she was granted at 78 pounds per annum from the same date. It also stated that Elizabeth Brundrit, his sister, was granted at 26 pounds per annum from the same date for 2 years.
On 22nd February 1916 a parcel of his things was made up and included his bible, whistle, badges and letters. Other packages of his effects were a stretcher, a small unlocked suitcase and a locked tin uniform case. The suitcase had military books and some of his uniform and the trunk contained his clothing, sword, photos, hymn book, wallet, and his gold watch, chain and sovereign purse. Another parcel contained his disc, chain and silver medallion. Some were sent on the Argyllshire on 19th April 1916 and the rest on the Demosthenes on the 27th April. The three packages were delivered to his mother by Thomas Cook, and she signed for them on 10th May 1916. Another package was signed on 19th May 1920.
Base Records sent his mother a letter on 2nd December 1916, detailing and entry in the London Gazette of 11th July 1916 relating to the conspicuous service Thomas had rendered. He was mentioned in despatches for distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of General Sir Charles Munro’s Command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force as Captain Thomas Joseph Brundrit of the 5th Light Horse Regiment.
His mother wrote to the Minister of Defence in Melbourne on 19th August 1917, that he “was killed on Nov. 7th 1915 at Gallipoli & had been recommended by his Colonel for the Military Cross and also for the Croix de Guerre for conspicuous bravery in the field.” She commented that the paper had said a posthumous gallantry award had been given to a soldier’s wife and “wondered if there was any chance of my getting the medals due to my son, as such would be a great comfort to me.” She commented that other people were surprised she had not got them yet. The reply from Base Records was a bit misleading as they said “the medals awarded to your son for distinguished services have not been received at this office, but on arrival will be promptly transmitted to you”. A pension that was paid to his sister Elizabeth at Christian Street Albion was cancelled from 6th December 1917.
Catherine, his mother, replied to Base Records on 21st December 1920, stating she was the closest living relative to Thomas, his father being deceased 6 years ago. They had written asking who the nearest relative was according to a list they had outlined in a letter to her. Base Records wanted to know who to send his medals to. The pamphlet Where the Australians Rest was sent to her on 18th April 1921 and his memorial plaque was sent on 1st December 1922.
On 8th August 1921, his mother signed for three photos of his grave, his Memorial Scroll appears not to have been signed in 1921. His MiD certificate had been previously signed on 21st July 1915 and Commission Form on 19th September 1919.
Catherine Edith Brundrit passed away on 12th September 1924 and was buried in the same grave as Thomas, location 12-55-1 in Toowong cemetery. The inscription on the grave reads “Wife of William Brundrit; born Gairloch, Scotland” and also has for Thomas, “Son of William Brundrit; born Brisbane killed in action ANZAC, Gallipoli.”
Base Records wrote to Elizabeth Brundrit on 6th October 1930, asking if his mother still resided at Christian Street Albion as they wanted to send her Thomas’s Memorial Bronze Plaque. On 24th October 1930, Base records wrote to the Repatriation Commission asking if Mrs Catherine Brundrit was still receiving a pension from them and her present address. They also said a letter to his sister, Elizabeth, of Christian Street Albion had been sent back. The Repatriation Commission in Brisbane replied on 29th October 1930, advising that his mother had passed away in 1924, and the address of Elizabeth M Brundrit was the last address supplied to them and they had no further information.
An order form for a copy of the register of his grave at Plugge’s Plateau group of cemeteries at Anzac (Shell Green Cemetery) Gallipoli 22 was never sent to his mother or family, and is still in his service record.
Elizabeth Brundrit married Frederick Freutel Coleman in 1933. Frederick and a brother went bankrupt in England in 1897 and the family moved to Australia in 1911. Two of his sons from a previous marriage served in the war. Fritz Burfield Coleman served as Sergeant 39332 in the Field Artillery as an instructor and his brother, Edward Longden Coleman, was also in the artillery, rising through the ranks from Acting Bombardier to Lieutenant. He was also Mentioned in Despatches and was awarded the Military Medal. He died of wounds on 29th April 1918. On 2nd December 1941, Elizabeth wrote to Base Records from 95 Christian St Clayfield and signed it Mrs L Coleman. She said she had heard on the radio that there were “many unclaimed medals from the war 1914-1918. My brother the late Capt. Thomas Joseph Brundrit who fell at Gallipoli (Nov 7th 1915), two months later that his Colonel (Colonel Harris), was mentioned in despatches, also that he had been awarded the Military Cross. My late mother even heard of his being mentioned for the Croix de Guirre. As we looked upon all soldiers as alike deserving, we did not bother making enquiries when we received nothing. I have kept alive my brother’s memory by talking of him and his comrades to my two nieces & it is for their sakes I am presuming to ask if there is something at Canberra which my mother or my sister or I should have had.” The reply from Base Records stated “I have to advise that no record is held by this office of the ex-officer having been decorated”. They did point out he was Mentioned in Despatches and that had been sent. Elizabeth passed away on 19th May 1956.
Annie Brundrit married Ainslie Stalham Clowes on 5th July 1922. He was a doctor and had served in WW1 in the Medical Corps as a Captain and then Major. He had to resign his commission due to a duodenal ulcer in October 1917. He had married Marian Jessie Norton Clowes (no relation?) in England in March 1917. They returned to Australia, where she had a girl in 1918 and unfortunately passed away in the same year. Eleanor (as she seemed to be called) wrote to the Government 22nd September 1967 from Chateau Convalescent Home, Moray Street New Farm, after seeing the Gallipoli medallion and stated that her brother was with them when he was killed. She also added “My brother worked in The Queensland National Bank, and studied for his FIAQ at night. Passed top of Brisbane & also took his Conveyancing Loan and passed that also. He then went to Gympie where he lived with his sister Mrs Alex McFie (actually half-sister Susan Isabella Hamilton 1870-1958) who was a dentist there. He was making good, and we were all pleased about it. When he suddenly joined up Got a job as Quartermaster (Captain) and that was that. He came home to say goodbye and we never saw him after that. After he had been sent to Gallipoly he charged to the firing line (why?). He was mentioned in despatches also” She went on to say she would never forget him and due to the close ages they he was always her playmate. She asked if she could get one of the medallions to give to one of her daughters and their family as she “would like them to know that their uncle they have never seen was a potential hero.” On 9th October 1967, Eleanor Bancroft Clowes applied for the Gallipoli Medallion for Thomas on the official application form. She was living at The Chateau Convalescent Home, Moray Street New Farm at the time. She declared that she was his full sister and “The Last to Live”. Annie passed away on 4th May 1976.
One of his step-sisters, Edith Margaret Hamilton (1873-1948) married Ernest William Spreadborough on 2nd July 1900 in Queensland. He served in WW1 in B Company 31st Battalion, joining on 4th June 1915. He was promoted to Lieutenant and was killed in action on 19th or 20th July 1916. Interesting though, he gave his next of kin as Edith’s mother, Catherine Brundrit of Christian Street Clayfield.
His medals are the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory medal with oak leaf.
ANZAC Biographies
On our website you will find the biographical details of ANZAC (as well as British) servicemen & women
whose medals or other memorabilia form part of the collection belonging to the
Maryborough Military & Colonial Museum,
Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.