Corporal Albert Edward Brunsdon
Albert Edward Brunsdon was born on 12 June 1885 at Ballymacormick Point, Bangor County Down, eldest of six children of English-born coast guard officer John James Brunsdon and his Donegal-born wife Elizabeth (nee Wright).
By 1911 he was living with his family at Lothair Avenue, Belfast and working as a plater in the ship-building industry. On 25 November 1912 he married Rose Nolan at the Belfast Registrar's Office.
Brunsdon enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 2 October 1914 (some records state September). He was issued regimental number 1252 (later Corps of Hussars No.71304). Soon after he was promoted to the rank of corporal.
He embarked for France on 28 April 1915 as part of a reinforcement draft of 19 men for A Squadron under 2nd Lieutenant Walter Ashley Montgomery.
Brunsdon served with A Squadron through much of the war. On 11 May 1918 the Northern Whig newspaper reported that he had been wounded. This was a chest wound, and it is probable that he saw no further active service during the war. On 15 March 1919 he was discharged, being 'no longer physically fit for war service' (having suffered impairment since entry into the service). He was granted a pension due to the chest wound and myalgia – as late as 1922 his level of disability was rated at 30 per cent.
Following his discharge Brunsdon returned to Lothair Avenue and then for a time lived in an ex-serviceman's cottage in St Quentin Park, Carnmoney. He later moved to England, where he remained until his death at Plymouth on 8 June 1960.
Brunsdon's younger brothers Sydney and Jack also served in the North Irish Horse and survived the war.
Images of Corporal Brunsdon and his medals, cap badge, button, overseas service chevrons, corporal's stripe, shoulder title and wound stripe kindly provided by his great-grandson John Gray.