Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Enlisted from Magill - notice below published with service photo by his Church.

Corporal N.C. Brinkley who is in France with his battalion (27th) is a faithful Solider of Jesus Christ, and was respected by all who knew him for his godly life.  Before enlisting Bandsman Brinkley played second tenor.  Although living nine miles from the corps, he could be relied upon to be at his post.  His great delight was to work for God.  Corporal Brinkley was a Corps Cadet, and took great interest in the Y.P. Work."

Corporal Brinkley writes to his mother from "Somewhere in France," April 2, 1916 : 

"My dear Mother—I am taking this opportunity of writing you a few lines prior to my departure to the trenches. I am writing to  wish you all at home a long and perhaps last farewell. Well, mother dear, I am happy and perfectly contented to-day as I write. I realize that God is indeed very near to me. I have no fear of the future, for I know that all is well with my soul, and now that I  am about to enter into the danger and turmoil of battle, all is O so peaceful and calm. Though in the world without all is  confusion and struggling, within my heart is a peace, mother dear, which Jesus alone can give, that my heart goes out in praise and thanksgiving for all His goodness and His tender mercies toward me."

April 24.—Corporal Brinkley had a very narrow escape with a shrapnel shell second night in the trenches, when a huge fragment  of shell whizzed past his head and landed in the trench alongside of him, but thanks be to God, for last writing under date May  12, he was quite safe and well.