Bombardier Reginald Brundish, RFA, 1916
GEORGE
The beloved husband of
JESSIE JANE WILSON
Who died 31st Dec. 1879
Aged 22 years
When Christ who is my life shall appear
Then shall I appear with him in glory
Also of
Bomdr REGINALD BRUNDISH
(R.F.A.)
The loving husband of
JESSIE BRUNDISH
Died in Northampton War Hospital
11th July 1916. Aged 35 years.
With Christ which is far better
BRUNDISH, REGINALD V.
Rank:……………………......Bombardier
Service No:……………….6942
Date of Death:………….17/07/1916
Age:……………………….....35
Regiment/Service:……Royal Field Artillery
…………………………….......35th Div. Ammunition Col.
Grave Reference:……..27. 242.
Cemetery:………………....NORWICH CEMETERY, NORFOLK
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2803070/BRUNDISH,%20R...
Soldiers Died in the Great War records the Acting Bombardier Reginald Brundish “Died” on the 11th July 1916 whilst serving on the Home Front with the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. He was born and enlisted Norwich. No place of residence is shown.
(“Died” in SDGW means anything other than Killed in Action or Died of Wounds (received in action)).
The Medal Index Card for Acting Bomabardier 6942 Reginald Brundish, 35th Brigade Royal Field Artillery is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/3/141429
He had previously been Corporal 6942 in the same unit.
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1556266
The existence of a Medal Index Card would usually indicate that he had served at least some part of the conflict in a Theatre of War – very few UK only servicemen qualified for the Medals that would lead to a MiC being raised. As Corporal and Bombardier are equivalent ranks, I would hazard a guess that the mention of it on his MiC would indicate that overseas service was prior to the 1st January 1916, as soldiers in theatre before that qualified for an additional medal – the 1914/15 Star. The medal roll for the star would capture his rank and unit on the 31st December 1915 – earlier if killed or honourably discharged from the service.
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Army service records were stored.
From:
BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE HISTORY GROUP
ROLL OF HONOUR
RAILWAY, DOCK & CANAL OFFICERS
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918
PC REGINALD VICTOR BRUNDISH
Great Eastern Railway Police
Norwich
PC BRUNDISH, the son of Edgar John and Ruth Brundish, was born c.1883 and joined the Great Eastern Railway Police in March 1910, stationed at Norwich. He enlisted as a Bombardier 6942 in the 35th Division (Ammunition Column) of the Royal Field Artillery. The causes of his death are not known but he died in the Norwich Military Hospital on the 11th
July 1916 aged 35 years and is buried in Norwich Cemetery. He is also commemorated on the Great Eastern Railway Memorial on the upper level of Liverpool Street Station, London.
Source:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
BTPHG PSR2
GER Magazine
Railway Roll of Honour
www.btphg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/BTPHG-WW1-RoH...
However another Railway source appear to have him recorded as a Reservist at the time of joining the Great East Railway in 1910 and that he died aged 34 in the Northampton Military Hospital. Their source is the Great Eastern Railway Magazine for 1916, page 240. They show the CWGC date of the 17th July 1916 for his death. He was based in the Stratford Department. He had previously been in the Royal Garrison Artillery.
www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&...
From a picture I’ve taken but have yet to do the write up for, I can confirm R V Brundish in on the Great Eastern Railway Memorial in Liverpool Street Station.
1881 Birth and Baptism
The baptism of a Reginald Victor Brundish, born 24th August 1881. took place at St James with Pockthorpe, Norwich, on the 18th September 1881. His parents were John, a Brewers Servant and Ruth Brundish. They were then living at Butchers Yard, which was OTP (Outside the Parish).
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c67ee93790eca3cf184...
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NX6M-YJ5
Other family baptisms
St James with Pockthorpe
Edgar David Brundish, born 22nd December 1879, baptised 18th January 1880. Parents John, a Labourer and Ruth. Living at the Cellar House Inn, OTP.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c67ce93790eca3cf14c...
Beatrice Rebecca Brundish, born 13th July 1883, baptised 29th July 1883. Parents John, a Brewers Servant, and Ruth. Living at Maces Yard, St James St, OTP.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c680e93790eca3cf1d5...
Rupert John Brundish, born 11th December 1885, baptised 17th January 1886. Parents John, a Brewers Servant, and Ruth. Living at Paddocks OTP.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c685e93790eca3cf285...
Maude Maria Brundish, born 4th October 1887, baptised 30th October 1887. Parents John, a Labourer, and Ruth. Living at The Paddocks, Silver Road, OTP.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c614e93790eca3ce3b2...
Percy Edward Brundish, born 7th April 1890, baptised 4th May 1890. Parents John, a Labourer, and Ruth. Living at Paddocks, OTP.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c618e93790eca3ce42c...
Hilda Ruth Brundish, born 18th June 1896, baptised 12th July 1896. Parents John, a Brewers Servant, and Ruth. Living at 53 Mousehold Street.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c620e93790eca3ce588...
1891 Census of England and Wales
The 9 year old Reginald V, (mis-transcribed as B) Brundish, born Norwich, was recorded living at The Paddocks, Silver Road, Norwich. This was the household of his parents, John, (aged 45? – tbc, Brewers Servant, born Honingham, Norfolk) and Ruth, (aged 34, born Honingham, Norfolk). As well as Reginald their other children are:-
Edgar D………..aged 11….born Norwich…House Boy
Patricia R………aged 7……born Norwich..Deaf and Dumb
Rupert Jno………aged 5…...born Norwich
Maud M………..aged 3…….born Norwich
Percy Ed……….aged 1…….born Norwich
1901 Census of England and Wales
A 19 year old Gunner Reginald Brundish, born Horning, Norfolk, was stationed with the Royal Garrison Artillery at Newport, Monmouthshire.
His family were now living at 7 Morley Street, Norwich. Father John, (53, born Horningham), is now recorded in the Disability column as Paralysed. Along with wife Ruth, (45), children still single and living at home are Rupert, (15, Waiter), Maud M, (13, Tailoress Fitter(?)), Percy (10) and Hilda R, (4, born Norwich).
The death of a 57 year old John Brundish was recorded in the Norwich District in Q1 of 1903. Ruth would remarry in 1905.
Herberts’ future wife, the 17 year old Jessie M. White, born Norwich, was recorded living at 32 St Julians Street, Norwich. This was the household of her parents, Alfred E, (aged 44, a Railway Porter, born Brooke, Norfolk) and Jessie J, (aged 41, born Beccles, Suffolk). Jessie has 4 siblings living with her and a step-brother.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 29 year old Reginald Brundish, born Norwich, was recorded as a Boarder at 51 Geere Road, Plaistow, West Ham, East London. A single man, he was employed by the Great Eastern Railway as a Railway Constable.
The 27 year old Jessie Mabel White, his future bride, was still single and working as a Cracker Maker in a Chocolate Factory. She was still living with her parents at 32 St Julians Street. Alfred Edgar, (53, Checker in a Mineral Water Factory) and Jessie Jane, (50), have been married 28 years and have had 8 children, of which 7 were then still alive. As well as Jessie four of them are still single and living at home.
Interestingly, a family history web-site gives some slightly difference information. Edgar’s father John married Ruth Thompson in Norwich in 1879. Their children are listed as
Beatrice R. Brundish, b. 1884, Norwich, England, d. 1896, Aged 12 London.
Edgar Donald Brundish, b. 1880, Norwich, England, d. 07 Oct 1915, World War 1 France.
Percy Edward Brundish, b. 1890, Norwich, England, d. 1937, Wisbech.
Reginald Victor Brundish, b. 1882, Norwich, England, d. 1916, World War 1.
Rupert John Brundish, b. 1886, Norwich, England, d. date unknown, Australia.
+Maud Maria Brundish, b. 04 Oct 1887, Norwich, England, d. 1981, Norwich, England.
Hilda R. Brundish, b. 1897, Norwich, England, d. date unknown.
familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/h/o/Donald-J-Thorpe...
His brother Edward is remembered on the War Memorial in St Saviours, Norwich.
(see comment below)
1911 Marriage
The marriage of a Reginald V Brundish to either a Rosa Girling or a Jessie M White is recorded in the General Registrars Office Index of Marriages for England and Wales in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1911. This was one of the last two quarters in which marriages were not cross referenced in the index, so confirmation of who he married has to come from elsewhere.
The marriage of a Reginald Victor Brundish, aged 29 and a Bachelor, to Jessie Mabel White, aged 27 and a Spinster, took place in the church of St James with Pockthorpe, Norwich on the 23rd April 1911. Reginald, a Police Constable, was living at Mousehold Street, Norwich. His father is given as John Brundish, Brewers Servant. Jessie was also living on Mousehold Street. Her father is given as Alfred White, Checker. Witnesses are given as Alfred and Ida White.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/58183ab2e93790eb7f68c2b...
Until September 1911 the quarterly index published by the General Registrars Office did not show information about the mothers maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales 1911 – 1983 shows no likely children for Reginald and Jessie.
His unit
The various records show two units for him.
1 : The 35th Divisional Ammunition Column
The history of 35th Division
On 10 December the War Office authorised the formation of the Fifth New Army. Like the other Kitchener Armies, it comprised six Divisions, in this case numbered 37 to 42. What eventually became 35th Division was originally numbered 42nd. In April 1915, the original Fourth New Army was broken up and its units converted for training and draft-finding purposes. When this took place the Fifth New Army became Fourth New Army and its Divisions were renumbered to 30th – 35th: thus what we remember as 35th Division was born.
The Division was largely comprised of locally raised units known as “Bantams”, manned by troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches.
After early training near home, the units concentrated in June 1915 in North Yorkshire. Divisional HQ was at Masham and units were at Roomer Common, Marfield, Fearby and Masham. In August 1915 the Division moved to Salisbury Plain, HQ being set up at Marlborough. Over the next few weeks moves were made to Chiseldon and Cholderton. In late 1915 orders were received to kit for a move to Egypt but this was soon rescinded.
On 28 January 1916 the Division began to cross the English Channel and by early on 6 February all units were concentrated east of St Omer. (Note: it follows that no man who was with the original contingent of this Division was awarded the 1914-1915 Star).
The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war
www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions...
2 : 35th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
This brigade was originally comprised of numbers 12, 25 and 58 Batteries RFA. It was based at Woolwich in August 1914. In September 1914 it was placed under command of the new 7th Division and went to France with it in October 1914.
www.1914-1918.net/rfa_units_35.html
On the day
The death of the 35 year old Reginald Brundish, (no middle name), was recorded in the Northampton District in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1916.
There is no obvious Soldiers Will or Civil Probate for this man.
Postscript
There is no obvious remarriage of Jessie in the records for England and Wales. There is a death of a Jessie M Brundish, aged 82, in the Norwich Outer District of Norfolk in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1966.
Bombardier Reginald Brundish, RFA, 1916
GEORGE
The beloved husband of
JESSIE JANE WILSON
Who died 31st Dec. 1879
Aged 22 years
When Christ who is my life shall appear
Then shall I appear with him in glory
Also of
Bomdr REGINALD BRUNDISH
(R.F.A.)
The loving husband of
JESSIE BRUNDISH
Died in Northampton War Hospital
11th July 1916. Aged 35 years.
With Christ which is far better
BRUNDISH, REGINALD V.
Rank:……………………......Bombardier
Service No:……………….6942
Date of Death:………….17/07/1916
Age:……………………….....35
Regiment/Service:……Royal Field Artillery
…………………………….......35th Div. Ammunition Col.
Grave Reference:……..27. 242.
Cemetery:………………....NORWICH CEMETERY, NORFOLK
CWGC: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2803070/BRUNDISH,%20R...
Soldiers Died in the Great War records the Acting Bombardier Reginald Brundish “Died” on the 11th July 1916 whilst serving on the Home Front with the Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery. He was born and enlisted Norwich. No place of residence is shown.
(“Died” in SDGW means anything other than Killed in Action or Died of Wounds (received in action)).
The Medal Index Card for Acting Bomabardier 6942 Reginald Brundish, 35th Brigade Royal Field Artillery is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/3/141429
He had previously been Corporal 6942 in the same unit.
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D1556266
The existence of a Medal Index Card would usually indicate that he had served at least some part of the conflict in a Theatre of War – very few UK only servicemen qualified for the Medals that would lead to a MiC being raised. As Corporal and Bombardier are equivalent ranks, I would hazard a guess that the mention of it on his MiC would indicate that overseas service was prior to the 1st January 1916, as soldiers in theatre before that qualified for an additional medal – the 1914/15 Star. The medal roll for the star would capture his rank and unit on the 31st December 1915 – earlier if killed or honourably discharged from the service.
His Service Records do not appear to have survived the incendiary attack during the Blitz on the Warehouse where all the Army service records were stored.
From:
BRITISH TRANSPORT POLICE HISTORY GROUP
ROLL OF HONOUR
RAILWAY, DOCK & CANAL OFFICERS
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918
PC REGINALD VICTOR BRUNDISH
Great Eastern Railway Police
Norwich
PC BRUNDISH, the son of Edgar John and Ruth Brundish, was born c.1883 and joined the Great Eastern Railway Police in March 1910, stationed at Norwich. He enlisted as a Bombardier 6942 in the 35th Division (Ammunition Column) of the Royal Field Artillery. The causes of his death are not known but he died in the Norwich Military Hospital on the 11th
July 1916 aged 35 years and is buried in Norwich Cemetery. He is also commemorated on the Great Eastern Railway Memorial on the upper level of Liverpool Street Station, London.
Source:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
BTPHG PSR2
GER Magazine
Railway Roll of Honour
www.btphg.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/BTPHG-WW1-RoH...
However another Railway source appear to have him recorded as a Reservist at the time of joining the Great East Railway in 1910 and that he died aged 34 in the Northampton Military Hospital. Their source is the Great Eastern Railway Magazine for 1916, page 240. They show the CWGC date of the 17th July 1916 for his death. He was based in the Stratford Department. He had previously been in the Royal Garrison Artillery.
www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&...
From a picture I’ve taken but have yet to do the write up for, I can confirm R V Brundish in on the Great Eastern Railway Memorial in Liverpool Street Station.
1881 Birth and Baptism
The baptism of a Reginald Victor Brundish, born 24th August 1881. took place at St James with Pockthorpe, Norwich, on the 18th September 1881. His parents were John, a Brewers Servant and Ruth Brundish. They were then living at Butchers Yard, which was OTP (Outside the Parish).
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c67ee93790eca3cf184...
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NX6M-YJ5
Other family baptisms
St James with Pockthorpe
Edgar David Brundish, born 22nd December 1879, baptised 18th January 1880. Parents John, a Labourer and Ruth. Living at the Cellar House Inn, OTP.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c67ce93790eca3cf14c...
Beatrice Rebecca Brundish, born 13th July 1883, baptised 29th July 1883. Parents John, a Brewers Servant, and Ruth. Living at Maces Yard, St James St, OTP.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c680e93790eca3cf1d5...
Rupert John Brundish, born 11th December 1885, baptised 17th January 1886. Parents John, a Brewers Servant, and Ruth. Living at Paddocks OTP.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c685e93790eca3cf285...
Maude Maria Brundish, born 4th October 1887, baptised 30th October 1887. Parents John, a Labourer, and Ruth. Living at The Paddocks, Silver Road, OTP.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c614e93790eca3ce3b2...
Percy Edward Brundish, born 7th April 1890, baptised 4th May 1890. Parents John, a Labourer, and Ruth. Living at Paddocks, OTP.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c618e93790eca3ce42c...
Hilda Ruth Brundish, born 18th June 1896, baptised 12th July 1896. Parents John, a Brewers Servant, and Ruth. Living at 53 Mousehold Street.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5818c620e93790eca3ce588...
1891 Census of England and Wales
The 9 year old Reginald V, (mis-transcribed as B) Brundish, born Norwich, was recorded living at The Paddocks, Silver Road, Norwich. This was the household of his parents, John, (aged 45? – tbc, Brewers Servant, born Honingham, Norfolk) and Ruth, (aged 34, born Honingham, Norfolk). As well as Reginald their other children are:-
Edgar D………..aged 11….born Norwich…House Boy
Patricia R………aged 7……born Norwich..Deaf and Dumb
Rupert Jno………aged 5…...born Norwich
Maud M………..aged 3…….born Norwich
Percy Ed……….aged 1…….born Norwich
1901 Census of England and Wales
A 19 year old Gunner Reginald Brundish, born Horning, Norfolk, was stationed with the Royal Garrison Artillery at Newport, Monmouthshire.
His family were now living at 7 Morley Street, Norwich. Father John, (53, born Horningham), is now recorded in the Disability column as Paralysed. Along with wife Ruth, (45), children still single and living at home are Rupert, (15, Waiter), Maud M, (13, Tailoress Fitter(?)), Percy (10) and Hilda R, (4, born Norwich).
The death of a 57 year old John Brundish was recorded in the Norwich District in Q1 of 1903. Ruth would remarry in 1905.
Herberts’ future wife, the 17 year old Jessie M. White, born Norwich, was recorded living at 32 St Julians Street, Norwich. This was the household of her parents, Alfred E, (aged 44, a Railway Porter, born Brooke, Norfolk) and Jessie J, (aged 41, born Beccles, Suffolk). Jessie has 4 siblings living with her and a step-brother.
1911 Census of England and Wales
The 29 year old Reginald Brundish, born Norwich, was recorded as a Boarder at 51 Geere Road, Plaistow, West Ham, East London. A single man, he was employed by the Great Eastern Railway as a Railway Constable.
The 27 year old Jessie Mabel White, his future bride, was still single and working as a Cracker Maker in a Chocolate Factory. She was still living with her parents at 32 St Julians Street. Alfred Edgar, (53, Checker in a Mineral Water Factory) and Jessie Jane, (50), have been married 28 years and have had 8 children, of which 7 were then still alive. As well as Jessie four of them are still single and living at home.
Interestingly, a family history web-site gives some slightly difference information. Edgar’s father John married Ruth Thompson in Norwich in 1879. Their children are listed as
Beatrice R. Brundish, b. 1884, Norwich, England, d. 1896, Aged 12 London.
Edgar Donald Brundish, b. 1880, Norwich, England, d. 07 Oct 1915, World War 1 France.
Percy Edward Brundish, b. 1890, Norwich, England, d. 1937, Wisbech.
Reginald Victor Brundish, b. 1882, Norwich, England, d. 1916, World War 1.
Rupert John Brundish, b. 1886, Norwich, England, d. date unknown, Australia.
+Maud Maria Brundish, b. 04 Oct 1887, Norwich, England, d. 1981, Norwich, England.
Hilda R. Brundish, b. 1897, Norwich, England, d. date unknown.
familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/h/o/Donald-J-Thorpe...
His brother Edward is remembered on the War Memorial in St Saviours, Norwich.
(see comment below)
1911 Marriage
The marriage of a Reginald V Brundish to either a Rosa Girling or a Jessie M White is recorded in the General Registrars Office Index of Marriages for England and Wales in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1911. This was one of the last two quarters in which marriages were not cross referenced in the index, so confirmation of who he married has to come from elsewhere.
The marriage of a Reginald Victor Brundish, aged 29 and a Bachelor, to Jessie Mabel White, aged 27 and a Spinster, took place in the church of St James with Pockthorpe, Norwich on the 23rd April 1911. Reginald, a Police Constable, was living at Mousehold Street, Norwich. His father is given as John Brundish, Brewers Servant. Jessie was also living on Mousehold Street. Her father is given as Alfred White, Checker. Witnesses are given as Alfred and Ida White.
www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/58183ab2e93790eb7f68c2b...
Until September 1911 the quarterly index published by the General Registrars Office did not show information about the mothers maiden name. A check of the General Registrars Office Index of Birth for England and Wales 1911 – 1983 shows no likely children for Reginald and Jessie.
His unit
The various records show two units for him.
1 : The 35th Divisional Ammunition Column
The history of 35th Division
On 10 December the War Office authorised the formation of the Fifth New Army. Like the other Kitchener Armies, it comprised six Divisions, in this case numbered 37 to 42. What eventually became 35th Division was originally numbered 42nd. In April 1915, the original Fourth New Army was broken up and its units converted for training and draft-finding purposes. When this took place the Fifth New Army became Fourth New Army and its Divisions were renumbered to 30th – 35th: thus what we remember as 35th Division was born.
The Division was largely comprised of locally raised units known as “Bantams”, manned by troops who were under the normal regulation minimum height of 5 feet 3 inches.
After early training near home, the units concentrated in June 1915 in North Yorkshire. Divisional HQ was at Masham and units were at Roomer Common, Marfield, Fearby and Masham. In August 1915 the Division moved to Salisbury Plain, HQ being set up at Marlborough. Over the next few weeks moves were made to Chiseldon and Cholderton. In late 1915 orders were received to kit for a move to Egypt but this was soon rescinded.
On 28 January 1916 the Division began to cross the English Channel and by early on 6 February all units were concentrated east of St Omer. (Note: it follows that no man who was with the original contingent of this Division was awarded the 1914-1915 Star).
The Division then remained on the Western Front for the remainder of the war
www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions...
2 : 35th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
This brigade was originally comprised of numbers 12, 25 and 58 Batteries RFA. It was based at Woolwich in August 1914. In September 1914 it was placed under command of the new 7th Division and went to France with it in October 1914.
www.1914-1918.net/rfa_units_35.html
On the day
The death of the 35 year old Reginald Brundish, (no middle name), was recorded in the Northampton District in the July to September quarter, (Q3), of 1916.
There is no obvious Soldiers Will or Civil Probate for this man.
Postscript
There is no obvious remarriage of Jessie in the records for England and Wales. There is a death of a Jessie M Brundish, aged 82, in the Norwich Outer District of Norfolk in the April to June quarter, (Q2), of 1966.