Bracegirdle, Leighton Seymour (Rear Admiral, b.1881 - d.1970)

Collection relating to the Boxer Uprising and First World War service of Commander (later Rear Admiral Sir) Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle (formerly Midshipman, New South Wales Naval Contingent), 1 Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train, Egypt, Turkey, Greece and Australia, [date unknown]; 1915-1919.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Comprises one folder containing a handwritten account of the Boxer Uprising and a nominal roll relating to the 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train.

Folder 1 of 1 - Contains an 8-page handwritten account of the Boxer Uprising by Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle. Bracegirdle opens the narrative by providing some background information on anti-foreign sentiment in China and the formation of the Boxers or "Society of Harmonious Fists", their objectives and early operations, and subsequent siege of foreigners in the Legation Quarter of Peking. He briefly outlines the response of foreign nations to the siege and composition of the Eight-Nation Alliance, operations at Tientsin and actions leading to the lifting of the siege on the Legation Quarter in Peking, and refers to the Victoria Cross awarded to Midshipman Basil John Douglas Guy of HMS Barfleur and the Rudyard Kipling poem "Recessional".

Nominal Roll - Contains a nominal roll recording the summarised service details of officers and ratings attached to the 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train compiled by the commander of the unit, Commander Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle. Documented in an army book, the nominal roll records basic service details such as names, ranks and dates of appointment and the home states of unit personnel, whilst a remarks column briefly records subsequent service following the disbandment of the 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train such as unit transfers, promotions, honours and awards, and the fate of unit personnel.

• Folder 1 of 1 - Account relating to the Boxer Uprising service of Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle, [date unknown]
• Wallet 1 of 1 - Nominal roll of officers and ratings attached to the 1st Royal Australian Naval Bridging Train compiled by Commander Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle, 1915-1919