[BROTHER ONE]
1914-15 TRIO & LSGC (R.N.) GV.
To:
284613 J.D. BRUNNING. CH.STO. R.N.
(LSGC GV) 284613 J.D. BRUNNING. STO. PO. HMS ACTAEON (Torpedo Training Base)
(With full service sheet 15th January 1897- 6th February 1919)
With brass Kit Box name plate. "J.BRUNNING"
EF and swing mounted as last worn by the recipient.
[BIOGRAPHY]
Joseph 'Joe' David Brunning was born on 23rd November 1877 at Dover court, Harwich, Essex. Prior to enlistment at age 20 he had been a Commercial Carter. After the war he became a slaughter man in Suffolk. He died in 1950.
[BROTHER TWO]
1914-15 Trio
To:C.H. BRUNNING. DKYMN. M.F.A.
(Spelt BRUMMING on Star) MINT ON ORIGINAL RIBBONS with Pair Box of Issue.
[BIOGRAPHY]
Charles Henry Brunning was torpedoed in HMS CLACTON on
3rd August 1916 while aside the supply vessel GRAFTON in the Aegean Sea. HMS CLACTON, was an auxiliary screw minesweeper which was torpedoed and sunk by U-73 (Cpt Gustav Sieb) a Blue Max holder at Kavalla Bay, near the island of Stavros in the Aegean. Charles Brunning applied for a silver war badge in relation to his apparently minor injuries during the sinking but this was refused. After the war he served in civilian transport ships on the run to the Hook of Holland.
[There were five crew casualties from HMS CLACTON]
ADDISON, David, Seaman, RNR, B 4217
FRAME, Alexander, Leading Trimmer, RNR, ST 410
JAMES, Archibald N, Engine Room Artificer 4c, M 13584 (Dev)
MCKELVEY, Charles J, Ty/Engineer Sub Lieutenant, RNR
MORTIMORE, Francis E, Ty/Engineer Lieutenant, RNR
[THE U-73 & GUSTAV SIEB]
The submarine commander, Captain Gustav Sieb, was Born 11th December 1883 and Died 14th October 1970. He became a WWI U-Boat Ace, was awarded the Blue Max for sinking 53 ships & 3 warships.
[EXTRACT FROM THE LOG OF THE GRAFTON
3rd August 1916]
From Chai Aghizi to Stavros, or at Chai Aghizi & Stavros.
Lat 40.68, Long 23.7
6.30am: M18 arrived.
8.33am: HMS CLACTON struck by torpedo while coming alongside and abreast of GRAFTON. Action stations.
Sent all available boats to CLACTON's assistance.
8.37am: Weighed Engines as requisite turning
8.38am: CLACTON sank.
8.39am: Proceeded full speed, course as requisite.
8.40am: Sighted periscope 900 yards SSE, opened fire with 3-pounder, altered course S22E
8.45am: Altered course West
8.50am: M18 proceeded in search of submarine
9.08am: Altered course S45W
9.40am: Slow & as requisite into Stavros
9.50am: Stop
10.00am: Came to Starboard anchor off Stavros
11.00am: HMS RAGLAN arrived. Tug RESCUE patrolling nets
1.10pm: M18 arrived
2.30pm: Hands make & mend clothes blown overboard by explosion of torpedo.
Wind shoots [chutes] steel Pattern 816D, two in No.
4.30pm: Hoisted out picket boat
5.00pm: Hands to bathe
6.45pm: M18 patrolling nets
9.00pm: M18 anchored
10.15pm: M20 arrived
Sick list 6
An interesting family grouping to two WW1 brothers. £595