We pause to pay our respects to William Christopher Brumby, found at Pheasant Wood.

William Christopher Brumby “Bill” was born in April 1887 at Conisholme, Lincolnshire, England to William and Eliza Brumby. He had an older sister Eliza.

He was 5 foot 6 ½ inches, 154 pounds, with blue eyes, brown hair and had a fresh Complexion.

Newly arrived in Melbourne in 1914, he settled at Sorrento, Victoria and quickly made friends. He was described as: “Of a quiet and retiring disposition, his genial manner made him a host of friends in Sorrento”

Bill enlisted with the Australian Imperial Force on 12 July 1915. He was assigned to the newly formed 31st Battalion, C Company along with his Sorrento friends Bert Hibbert and Ernie White.

Bill and Bert were both killed in Action at Fromelles, Ernie received a gunshot wound to his face during the battle and returned home in 1917.

Originally listed as killed in action on the 21st July 1916, he was commemorated at Villers Bretonneux.

Bill has now been identified at Pheasant Wood. Bert Hibbert remains unaccounted for and the search continues for family DNA.

After Bill had been killed, Ernie White’s mother pursued the Army to see if Bill’s personal effects that she had been looking after could be arranged to be sent to his family in the UK. The Army agreed, so Bill’s family were at least able to get some closure.

For more information, visit https://fromelles.info/.../585-private-william.../

Lest We Forget.

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William Christopher Brumby (1885-1916)
source Nepean Historical Society