Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"Charles Henry Brand (1873-1961), soldier and politician, was born on 4 September 1873 at Ipswich, Queensland, fifth child of Charles Hayman Brand, farmer, and his wife Elizabeth, née Elliott. His father was a native of Exeter, England, and his mother of Londonderry, Ireland. Educated at Bundaberg and Maryborough state schools, he joined the Department of Public Instruction as a trainee-teacher in November 1887. In 1898 he was commissioned lieutenant in the Queensland Volunteer Infantry and on the outbreak of war in South Africa enlisted as a sergeant in the 3rd Queensland (Mounted Infantry) Contingent. He served with the Rhodesian Field Force and in operations in the Transvaal and the Orange River and Cape colonies; on 25 June 1900 he was commissioned lieutenant. He returned home with the contingent in June 1901 but next May re-enlisted in the 7th Commonwealth Horse as captain in command of 'C' Squadron. The regiment never saw action as, by the time it reached South Africa, peace had been proclaimed.

In 1903-04 Brand taught at Charters Towers State School and in 1905 joined the permanent military forces as a temporary lieutenant. He was attached to the administrative and instructional staff in Melbourne; his rank was confirmed in 1906, and on 25 June he married a schoolteacher Ella Arline Armstrong at the Methodist parsonage, Bondi, New South Wales. In 1906-09 he was on the instructional staff, was promoted captain in July 1909 and spent the next two years in India on exchange duty. On his return he was appointed to the South Australia staff and was promoted major and acting commandant in 1912. A contemporary described him as 'the most energetic officer and best instructor' he had ever known.

When the 1st Division, Australian Imperial Force, was raised in August 1914 Major General (Sir) William Bridges selected Brand as brigade major of the 3rd Infantry Brigade. He embarked for Egypt on 21 October. At Mena Camp he was a familiar sight, going about his duties on a hired donkey when other transport was scarce, doing the work of a messenger, an instructor or a staff officer exactly as each task came to hand. The 3rd Brigade was first ashore at Gaba Tepe, Gallipoli, on 25 April 1915. Brand was conspicuous that day when he helped to direct troops on Plateau 400, organized stragglers under fire at Gaba Tepe and led an attack which resulted in the disablement of three enemy guns. Often in the following weeks he delivered messages to the forward troops and when the Turks advanced in mass attacks on Lone Pine he manned the only telephone at 3rd Brigade headquarters..." - READ MORE LINK (adb.anu.edu.au)