| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2020.313.3 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Bronze |
| Place made | United Kingdom: England, Greater London, London |
| Date made | c 1922 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Next of Kin plaque: Company Sergeant Major Harold James Brabner, 11th Battalion, AIF
Description
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge. Beneath the main figures, the British lion defeats the German eagle. The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston appear above the lion's right forepaw. A raised rectangle above the lion's head bears the name 'HAROLD JAMES BRABNER'. The number '25' is impressed behind the lion's left rear paw. A wire hanging loop has been soldered to the back.
History / Summary
Born in Warracknabeal, Victoria in 1894, Harold James Brabner was employed as a painter in the West Australian railway workshops when he enlisted in the AIF on 2 September 1914. He had four years' prior service in the 88th (Perth) Infantry. After basic training he was appointed a lance corporal, service number 274, to C Company, 11th Battalion. The unit sailed from Fremantle aboard HMAT A11 Ascanius on 31 October.
After further training in Egypt Brabner's battalion landed at Gallipoli at dawn on 25 April 1915. He served without incident until 28 August when he was evacuated to Lemnos suffering from influenza. He returned to Gallipoli two months later and was promoted sergeant two day's later.
In April 1916 11th Battalion moved to France for service on the Western Front. Brabner was promoted Company Sergeant Major (Warrant Officer II) shortly afterwards. He was wounded in the leg and hand at Pozieres on the night of 22/23 July and evacuated to hospital England. He rejoined the battalion at Flers on 11 November.
Brabner was killed by shell fire at Halfway house near Clapham Junction in the Ypres Salient, Belgium on 17 September 1917. He was 23 years old. Although his body was formally buried nearby his grave could not be located after the war and his name is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres.
This memorial plaque was sent to his father, James Brabner, in October 1922.
Harold Brabner's younger brother, George Alexander Brabner, also served in 11th Battalion. He was killed in Belgium on 9 March 1918.