Friday, 9 December 2016

Poem ~ Mystery Of Private Brazil - Saturday, 9 December 1916 - Sunday 10 December 1916

Source: File: Edwin and Annie Brazil - researched by Thomas Uhlarik, John Hampden Grammar School. Wikipedia. Available at: <http://www.galaxypix.com/Sally/Losttheplot/Tellthemofus/BrazilE.html> [Accessed 9 December 2016]

Source: File: Attestation papers of Edwin Brazil. Available at: <http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/first-world-war/personnel-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=61953> [Accessed 9 December 2016]

Source: File: Wycombe and the Somme part 4 Gilbert Bates and Edwin Brazil researched and performed by pupils from John Hampden Grammar School and Wycombe Abbey School.  See original footage: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g19ChiaNn78&feature=youtu.be&t=6s> [Accessed 9 December 2016]

i
Tucked away in an almost insignificant report
Page 14, column 3 of The Daily Telegraph,
Noted the loss of a Canadian soldier; although
Facts around him were left as a mystery.

An Englishman Edwin Brazil born Colchester
Essex, 26 June 1875, whose circumstances
Went unexplained; married, Edwin was living
In Canada by the second year of war.

Following his reasons Edwin joined the services
As a Canadian, with 179th Battalion Cameron
Highlanders of Canada - declaring his kin within
Attestation papers dated 13th November.

Next of kin being his wife Annie Huntley Brazil
From High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
In England, though Edwin was living Winnipeg,
Manitoba in Canada; his trade a wood carver.

Then aged 39 and five months Edwin Brazil
Had a medical examination 12 November 1915.
Height 5 foot 9, described as having thinning
Black hair, fresh complexion with brown eyes.

His chest at full expansion was 38', and noting
He had operation wound on left foreleg -
The medical Captain considered him fit; Brazil's
Attestation signed by a lieutenant Colonel.

Having been recruited in Winnipeg, Canada
Edwin Became Private Brazil 859265 and
Sailed to England, 4 October 1916, on H.M.T.
Saxonia - arriving Liverpool 13 October.

Private Brazil was soon promoted to the post
Of Acting Corporal - by date 17 October to be
Stationed at the Sandling Camp in Folkestone.
Gaining leave Edwin visited his old home.

ii
With 6 days leave to spend, Edwin travelled
Returning to his wife living at 'Brouhaul,'
Amersham Hill, High Wycombe - situated on
A leafy road of various substantial houses.

When those few days came to an end acting
Corporal Edwin Brazil informed his wife
That it was time for his returning to Sandling
Camp - that night Edwin left their home.

Edwin though had no intentions in travelling
To camp, instead he travelled into London,
For whatever reason - then 25 November 1916
Saturday, Edwin Brazil was out walking.

The hour was dark as Edwin Brazil crossed
Grosvenor Place, when all of a sudden
He was hit by a motor bus - the driver and
Others close by went to assist him.

Before he could be taken to St Georges
Hospital, Acting Corporal Brazil died
Of his injuries, lying on the London street -
An inquest was held 30 November 1916.

In conclusion the driver was exonerated from
Any blame, as the verdict of the inquest
Declared this as accidental death - Edwin
Brazil was laid to rest High Wycombe.

Records showed that his last known address
To be Mrs Reeves, 242 Ellen St, Winnipeg,
Canada, though Edwin would declare his will
And estate to 'my wife, Anna Huntley Brazil.'

The mystery of Corporal Brazil perhaps no
Mystery - having married young to Annie
Stevens to become estranged by his behaviour
His wife had hoped that he might change.

Emigrating to Canada, still working as a wood
Carver, Edwin sought a new life - only to return
To England, to see Annie after long years - yet
A hope of love again lost in pointless death.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1916. Killed By Motor. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 1 December 1916. P.14. Col.3. Available at: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12213905/Daily-Telegraph-December-1-1916.html> [Accessed: 9 December 2016].

Source: File: Edwin Brazil. Available at: <http://buckinghamshireremembers.org.uk/php_scripts/bksidget.php?id=516> [Accessed 9 December 2016]

Source: File: Canadian Virtual War Memorial: In Memory of Corporal Edwin Brazil. Available at: <http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/343890> [Accessed 9 December 2016]

Source: File: Edwin Brazil, researched by Thomas Uhlarik, John Hampden Grammar School. Available at: <http://www.galaxypix.com/Sally/Losttheplot/Tellthemofus/BrazilE.html> [Accessed 9 December 2016]

Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 9 December 2016). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Canada

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