Victor Alexander John Brundle

A Private with the 2nd Battalion, Victor died on 27th of March 1918 at the age of 21. 

Victor was born at Lowestoft in 1898, a son of Charles and Sarah Elizabeth Brundle. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 29 August 1897 and his family lived at 28 Cambridge Road, and this was still their home in 1911 when Victor was an assistant at a bookstall. 

Victor was working as a steel machinist, with J.W. Brookes, when he attested for the Army, at Lowestoft, on 8 December 1915. He then joined the Army Reserve and was called up on 22 February 1917. He joined the Essex Regiment, service number 35667, and was posted to the 3rd Battalion. Victor arrived at Boulogne on 21 May 1917 and joined 15th Infantry Base Depot. On 11 June 1917 he was transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment, service number 40380, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, joining them in the field on 13 June. Victor was granted home leave from 15 February to 1 March 1918.

On 23 March 1918 the 2nd Battalion marched to Licourt and then moved to positions on the west bank of the river, with D Company at Cizancourt, and A Company at Epenancourt. On 24 March 23 Brigade, on the battalion’s right, were attacked and driven back, leaving the battalion’s right flank in danger. The infantry action continued throughout the day, until about 5 p.m., and later the battalion were reinforced by the 5th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.  

The battalion created a defensive flank toward the Sherwood Foresters and the line to the north, but there was an unavoidable gap in the battalion’s line. During the night of 24/25 March the enemy attacked on the right causing the battalion to withdraw. A Company held their position until nearly surrounded and had to fight their way back. This rearguard action allowed the rest of the battalion to make an orderly withdrawal on the railway embankment, near Marchelepot. Later a further withdrawal was made to Ablaincourt. 

On 25 March Victor received gunshot wounds to his head and left arm. Victor was being evacuated to Rouen but died on 35 Ambulance Train. His mother was notified on 6 April 1918.