Henry Joseph Brennan

Dear Mother,
Will you try and send me some money. We have not been paid since we came out and I'm practically (word missing) I don't suppose we'll get paid for weeks yet. If poss send a 10/- note as Postal Orders cannot be changed here.
Harry

The ruthlessness of war is brought home to us with especial force by the sad news of the death of Harry Brennan, who left the Mount so recently. He was killed in action on April 11th. There are still at the College many of his friends and comrades, to one of whom we are indebted for the following appreciation: "Harry Brennan gave one the impression of being a hard-working boy of exceptional ability. He consistently maintained a very high place in his class, even after having gone up two classes, instead of one, in a year. In sports and games, though small of stature, he could hold his own. His sense of humour was very keen; he was always ready for any harmless mischief that was going on; his frequent laugh was pleasant to hear - a laugh that rang true and hearty"

After leaving the Mount, in April 1917, Harry joined the Durham O.T.C. While a member of that Corps, he was accepted for a commission in the R.F.C. but was rejected by the Medical Board. Subsequently, he was transferred to the London regiment, and remained four months more in England. While at home on leave in March, 1918, Harry was summoned to return to his regiment and was full of high spirits on his departure. Six days later he was in France, and only a week had elapsed when he was killed by a fragment of a shell. Death was instantaneous. The bright and cheerful boy of less than nineteen years was one more victim in the mighty holocaust of war. While sympathizing in the sorrow of his family, and ourselves deeply regretting his loss, we are proud to claim him as a son of the Mount and to add his name to our list of fallen heroes. R.I.P.

From 96223 Pte. R. F. Porteous : 24th May 1918

Dear Mrs Brennan,

...I am hoping that the censor will permit me to give you a few details of how poor Harry spent his days in France and how and where he was killed. Before doing so, however, I should like to tell you how everyone who came into contact with him liked him and valued his friendship

As perhaps you know, we left Blackdown on April 3rd and travelled down to Dover where we spent the night. The next morning we embarked and sailed for Calais. Eleven of us ex-cadets had agreed to stick together through thick and thin and we all got into the same tent with seven others. While at Calais we had a very easy time with very little to do and we took advantage of that to go about Calais as much as possible. On the Saturday morning we marched to Calais station and entrained, 50 in a truck. We were told that we were on a three days journey but after 4 or 5 hours travelling we detrained at ----- station and marched through the village up to a large barn where we spent the night. The following morning we set out on a march and marched about 6 miles to a reinforcement camp at -----. While there the next day we passed through gas and had our respirators tested. The next morning we paraded after dinner and were all put in lorries and started to travel to Armentieres(?) Before we got there, however, the road was far too heavily shelled to continue so we got out and marched about 7 miles to another village on the left of the road. While waiting there for billets a nasty rain storm came on and we all got rather wet, but we were eventually billeted in various outhouses and buildings of a large farm. We were thoroughly tired out and so did nothing next day until dinnertime when we once more set off on the march and returned to the road we had left on the previous day. We marched further up and in a field some two miles further on found the transport of the 20th Middlesex, i.e. the Batt. we were to join. We had tea there and drew rations for two days to carry with us. Then we were hurriedly marched off further up the road and told to dig ourselves in as we should have to be there all night in reserve. We had not been digging very long however when that order was cancelled and we again moved off and marched some two or three miles. From there fifty went one way and the rest of us had to dig ourselves in again. Harry and I made a trench for the two of us and no sooner completed it when we had to march off again.

That march I will never forget. We were completely exhausted with digging and so much marching yet we still marched on with full pack and blanket on our backs. As we marched we could hear the guns going and shells dropped quite near us and we could see the liquid fire attacks also. I cannot remember much of the march. It is like a dream to me. However we at last marched through ----- and were told to lie down on a railway bank at the other side. We lay down and posted sentries and in spite of the discomfort soon dropped off to sleep.

Early next morning we were awakened and told that an attack was expected at 6 o' clock, so we lined up, fixed bayonets and waited. A little after 6 he came screaming over and his artillery strafed us. Two or three times we were lifted up and thrown down again but unhurt. We at last had to retire and went further back and dug in again but the same happened. About 12 o' clock we came to a road and entered a farm on the other side of it. The farm was of course deserted but the cows and pigs were still there and a hot meal was on the table showing how little time had elapsed since the people were there. We got some food there and then went out and dug ourselves in again lining the hedge. With the exception of enemy aircraft flying over us, all was quiet after that for a long time. We again began to get hungry and started to eat our army rations.

Harry had in his haversack a tin of "Maconochie" as rations for the two of us, so he took this out and started to open it. He leaned half over to get his mess-tin from his equipment when suddenly the Germans sent over three shells which dropped less than five yards from us. We heard them coming over and immediately dropped flat, but before poor Harry reached the ground he was hit in the head by a piece of the shell. Death was absolutely instantaneous from a huge gash where the piece went in and came out the other side of his head. I shouted for stretcher bearers but they only arrived to ascertain for certain that he was dead. We had to leave the farm and get out in the open again but I do know that he and the others who were killed with him were given a soldiers burial. I had escaped completely unharmed, but deafened and half senseless with the concussion.

Later on in the evening his own favourite regiment which he was always so ready to praise came right through our lines and advanced. I, along with another ex-cadet, went half mad with rage about poor Harry and went over the top with them - the D.L.I. Poor Harry was most certainly avenged that night by his own County men and chums, but alas it cannot bring him back.

He died at Steenwerck on 11th April at about 4 o' clock in the afternoon. His companions here wish me to assure you of their deepest sympathy with you in your great loss. In him we have lost a brave, dear and good chum and know that you have lost a very dear and good son.

Yours ever faithfully

96223 R. F. Porteous

Harry aged about 12		Harry in uniform