Henry Campbell ‘Cam’ Brady

BRADY, Henry Campbell -‘Cam’- – – – SPC 1907-1909

DoB:– – 5 October, 1891, St Kilda, VIC

Father:- – Henry Augustine Brady, 23 Daisy St, Essendon

Mother:- – Catherine, nee Donnelly

Cam Brady was a boarder at St Patrick’s, as was his brother Patrick Lawrence -‘Lal’ (SPC 1909-1910) who also enlisted (Service No 21). Cam was mentioned in the Prize Lists in 1909 as having won awards for typewriting and book-keeping. He was a cast member in the College production of Shakespeare’s -‘As You Like It’, where he acted in the -‘Forest Scene’.

He was also a champion wicketkeeper, keeping up his love of cricket after he left school. The College Annual of 1913-14 noted that -‘-¦he is still keeping up his reputation as a cricketer and footballer. He was wicket keeping this season for MCC and did well -¦’

Service No:- – –

Rank:– – – Sergeant, later Lieutenant

Unit:– – – 32nd Battalion, 29th Battalion

Henry Campbell Brady enlisted on 27 July 1915, aged 23 years and nine months. He was a bank clerk, had blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fresh complexion. He was five feet, nine and a half inches tall.

Cam Brady applied for a Commission in the AIF in May 1916 while at Geelong Officer Training school. He was rejected on this occasion, but then re-applied on 24 November 1916. On his application papers he declared his previous military training to consist of 18 months as 2nd Lieutenant Senior Cadets at St Patrick’s College, and nine months AIF Sergeant Geelong Battalion. It seems he must have grown while at Geelong, as his height had reached five feet 11 inches.

Cam was appointed to the rank of Sergeant in May 1916 and embarked for overseas service from Melbourne on 16 December 1916, on board the Medic. He disembarked at Plymouth on 18 February 1917 and was attached to the 29th Battalion. In May 1917 he proceeded to France where he was involved in an incident that resulted in his being recommended for the Albert Medal, a medal bestowed for daring and heroic acts.

-‘At Desvres on 29 December 1917, Lieut. Brady was superintending live bombing practice.

Snow was on the ground, and men waiting for their turn to throw got very cold in the hands. As a result of this, men on three occasions after extracting the safety pin, dropped their grenades in the trench from which they were throwing. On each occasion Lieut. Brady coolly picked the grenades up and with only a couple of seconds to spare threw them out of the trench.

By his quick action and coolness he undoubtedly saved several lives.’

By March 1918, Lieutenant Brady was to be Brigade Bombing Officer. In June, he was wounded in action, suffering a shell wound in the left thigh. From the Casualty Clearing Station, he was transferred to England for recovery on 20 June 1918. He proceeded to France again in September and was seconded for duty as Bombing Officer in the 8th Infantry Brigade.

He had to relinquish this appointment, as he was evacuated back to England in December 1918, as he was sick with syphilis. He was treated with mercury, and underwent a circumcision in an effort to cure the disease. By March 1919 it was clear that he could not return to service in the field, and he was attached to the Finance Section in London for duty.

On 1st November 1919 Lieutenant Brady embarked on the HMAT Nestor to return to Australia. En route to Australia he became ill with pneumonia and was treated at sea. He disembarked at Melbourne on 15 December, and was finally discharged from the AIF on 13 February 1920.

Attached to his WWI service record are some papers that reveal that Lieutenant Brady also served in WWII. It appears that he was attached to the 25 Australian L of C Salvage Section, having enlisted for the CMF (Civilian Military Forces) (N.75140). He served a total of 1244 days, including active service in Australia for 575 days.

Cam Brady married Amy Sarah Turner in 1920.

He had died by August 1947.