Brunskill, Percy

5678 Corporal Percy Brunskill - 16th Battalion AIF

Percy Brunskill was born on the 7th September 1893 in Bingara New South Wales to John and Margaret Brunskill. He had a sister Maude born in 1892 and a brother called John in 1896. The family had moved to Western Australia after Percy's birth and his brother John was born in Fremantle.

His father John died in Yilgarn WA in 1896, leaving Margaret to bring up the children.

The family lived at 176 South terrace Fremantle (later renumbered 154 South Terrace).

After leaving school Percy took up an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering for three and a half years for a Mr. Bryan of Fremantle. After finishing this apprenticeship Percy worked for Western Australian Government Railways as an engine cleaner and then as a fireman.

On the 17th February 1916 Percy enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 7 inches tall;

Weight - 135lbs;

Chest Measurement - 33-36 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Grey;

Hair - Brown.

Upon his successful enlistment Percy was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to No.56 Training Depot. He was taken through the basics of infantry training at this camp and then on the 4th April 1916 was transferred into the 18th reinforcements to the 16th Battalion AIF.

Percy trained with this group in WA for the next few months and on the 18th July 1916 they entrained for Fremantle Harbour where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Seang Choon and set sail for England. After the long sea voyage the ship arrived at Plymouth Harbour on the 9th September 1916.

Percy and his group were then disembarked and were sent to the 4th Training Battalion at Rollestone Camp on the Salisbury Plains. Percy would have a few months of training in England and on the 28th November 1916 was shipped across to France.

On arrival in Etaples Percy was sent to the 4th Australian Division Base Depot Camp. He had a further two weeks here and was then taken on strength of the 16th Battalion on the 16th December 1916.

The 16th Battalion were then situated on the Somme Battlefield near Flers. It was the coldest French winter for decades and as well as the German fire the men had to also combat the freezing conditions.

In late February 1917 the Germans began a withdrawal to their pre-prepared defensive position known as the Hindenburg Line. The Australians and British units followed up this retirement and several sharp actions occurred around the Hindenburg Line Outpost villages.

On the 23rd March 1917 Percy was evacuated ill with influenza. He was first sent to the 4th Field Ambulance and then returned to his unit. Percy served at the First Battle of Bullecourt on the 11th April 1917 and came through unscathed.

In June 1917 the 16th Battalion were then sent to Belgium where they took part in the Messines Offensive. They were in the Messines sector from June to August 1917. Percy was now appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal. On the 7th August 1917 Percy was wounded by shrapnel in the chest and arm. He was initially treated at the 4th Field Ambulance and then at the 2nd Casualty Clearing Station. Percy was then sent by ambulance train to the 2nd Canadian General Hospital.

Fortunately his wounds were not severe and on the 30th August 1917 Percy was able to leave hospital and returned to the 4th Australian Division Base Depot Camp. He then rejoined the 16th Battalion on the 7th September 1917.

The 16th Battalion were now sent to Ypres where they would taken part in the current offensive operation staking place there. On the 26th September 1917 the 16th Battalion were at Polygon Wood when Percy was wounded by shrapnel in the finger and arm. After treatment at the Field Ambulance Percy was sent to the 22nd General Hospital at Camiers. He only spent a few days there and was then shipped to England for further treatment. Percy was admitted to the 2nd Military Hospital in Canterbury but on the 10th October 1917 was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford.

Due to his finger injury Percy was not yet fit enough to return to France but spent the next several months in England. He was taken on strength of the permanent staff of No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth and was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

Percy would remain with No.2 Command Depot Camp till after the Armistice.

On the 1st June 1919 Percy boarded the transport ship Somali and set sail for home, reaching Fremantle on the 8th July 1919.

After being disembarked Percy was sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle for a medical check up. He was then released from hospital and walked a few hundred meters down the road to his Mothers house in South Terrace.

Percy was discharged from the AIF on the 25th August 1919.

He then returned to work for the WAGR and on the 18th November 1919 Percy married Daisy May Davies in Beaconsfield WA. They would have two daughters, Gladys in 1920 and Gwenyth in 1925.

They took up residence in Fraser Street East Fremantle. They would remain living in East Fremantle for the rest of their lives and Percy would remain as a railway employee going from being a fireman to an engine driver.

Sadly his wife Daisy died in 1951 and then Percy moved to 38 Staton Road in East Fremantle. 

Percy died on the 12th November 1963 aged 70. He was cremated at Fremantle Cemetery.