mc

There is some information on a Maurice Brachi in the Supplements to the London Gazette:

17 Feb 1915, p. 1681: "Private Maurice Brachi, from the 28th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Artists' Rifles) to be Second Lieutenant. Dated 18th February, 1915."

18 October 1917, p. 10697: "ROYAL ENGINEERS. The undermentioned to be Lts., with precedence as from 1st June 1916. 1st July 1917: [...] 2nd Lt. (temp. Lt.) M. Brachi, M.C."

17 December 1917, p. 13174: "ROYAL ENGINEERS. Lt. M. Brachi, M.C., is seconded. 12th Nov. 1917."

Also "Lt. Maurice BRACHI, M.C. (154354)." is mentioned as an Emergency Commission on 6 January 1941, p 127.

The CWDG database also mentions a Anthony St John Maurice Brachi, the "son of Maj. Maurice Brachi, M.C., Royal Artillery, and Elsie Muriel Brachi, of Maida Vale, London." The rank and regiment do not fit, but this could be his son. If so, he died on the 24 April 1943 and was buried in Massicault War Cemetery, Tunisia.

For the MC, see: The regimental roll of honour and war record of the Artists' Rifles (1/28th, 2/28th and 3/28th battalions, the London Regiment T. F.): Commissions, promotions, appointments and rewards for service in the field obtained by members of the corps since 4th August, 1914, 3rd ed. (London: Howlett & Son, 1922) , p. 61:

BRACHI, Lieut. Maurice ... 3/London Field Co., R.E.

VIMY RIDGE, 21st May, 1916. For conspicuous ability and good personal example and care in organising a combined R.E. and Infantry party to occupy advanced trenches under very heavy fire.

Available at: archive.org/details/regimentalrollof00highiala

On the 1891 census the 1 year old Maurice, born East Barnet, Hertfordshire, was recorded at Brook House, Southgate Road, East Barnet Hertfordshire. This was the household of his paternal grandfather, the widower Peter Brachi, a 69 year old Retired Tobacco Broker from Southwark, London. Also in the household are Maurice's parents, Peter Chas, (aged 35 and Tobacco Manufacturer from Hackney) and Clara Harriet, (aged 35 and from Bath, Somerset).

Their other children are:-
Ethel Clara........................aged 11................born Islington
Charles Clarence............aged 10.................born Islington
Vincent.............................aged 8...................born Islington
Frances...........................aged 7...................born Islington
Lancelot..........................aged 5...................born East Barnet
There are then 7 live in servants.

A company notice for Peter Brachi, Tobacco Broker can be seen in this edition of the London Gazette for the 3rd January 1865.
www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/22926/pages/18/page.pdf

On the 1901 census the family are recorded at 18 Frognal Lane, Hampstead, London. Head of the household is father Peter C, now recorded as living on own means. Still in the household are Ethel C, (21), Charles C, (20), Vincent (18) - all now shown as born Stoke Newington. The family has expanded to include Philip, (aged 9 and born East Barnet).

On the 1911 census the 21 year old Maurice, working as a Stockbrokers Clerk, was recorded living in his parents household at 80 West End Lane, Hampstead. Father Peter Charles is recorded as a retired Tobacco Manufacturer. Philip, (19), is still at home and now working as an Insurance Clerk.

The Medal Index card for Lieutenant Maurice Brachi, Royal Engineers is held at the National Archive under reference WO 372/3/25081
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1...

Other possible Medal Index Cards for his siblings
C C Brachi (Charles Clarence) - Captain, Royal Lancaster Regiment \ Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
WO 372/24/6684
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D6...

Captain Charles Clarence Brachi, 8th Royal Lancaster Regiment.
(second card for the same individual?)
WO 372/3/25080
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1...

Private 1482 Philip Brachi, Honourable Artillery Company then Acting \ Major Royal Garison Artillery
WO 372/3/25082
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D1...

But there is also a card for a Second Lieutenant P Brachi, Royal Garison Artillery, held under reference WO 372/24/6685
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D6...

The Army Records for Charles Clarence Brachi are held under reference WO 339/12867
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=C1...
www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com/keithsb.htm
A picture of the officers of the battalion including Charles Clarence
www.kingsownmuseum.plus.com/gallerywwone019.htm

According to this family web-site, Elsie Brachi, nee Weston, had two brothers, both of whom served with the Canadian Armry.
www.mkheritage.co.uk/yghg/people/Weston1.html

Lieutenant Whitford Wells Weston has already been mentioned. His enlistment papers can be seen here.
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e...

www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e....

His brother was Douglas Colin Weston.
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e...

www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/cef/001042-119.02-e...

Flight Lieutenant Brachi and Flying Officer McLeod of 239 Squadron were lost while flying Mosquito HJ935. They were engaged in a Serrate mission. Flying as night-fighters, the crews would join the bombers streams heading for Europe and then use specialist equipment to home in on the radar carried by the German interceptors sent up to stop the bombers. Unfortunately the specialist equipment made them slower and more prone to problems.
www.rafcommands.com/archive/13955.php
books.google.co.uk/books?id=gGKQbYgYbioC&pg=PA120&amp...

His medals were sold at auction in 1992. The lot consisted in part of "1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star and War Medal Groups, all Royal Air Force F/Lt. B. J. Brachi, with 'Air Crew Europe' bar, named condolence enclosure, entitlement slip, box of issue -- "Mr & Mrs L. Brachi" and details from 141 and 239 Squadron record books
www.christies.com/lotfinder/LotDetailsPrintable.aspx?intO...

A Dutch site has them crashing in the North Sea near Zouterlande.
www.defensie.nl/media/verliesregister_1944_tcm46-154755.pdf

BRACHI, BASIL JOHN
Rank:.............................Flight Lieutenant
Service No:..................109905
Date of Death:.............29/01/1944
Age:..............................22
Service:.......................Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 239 Sqdn.
Panel Reference.........Panel 201.
Memorial.....................RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. L. Brachi, of Torrington, Devon.
CWGC www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1530266/BRACHI,%20BAS...

Award of the Military Cross announced in the London Gazette, 4 June 1917, p. 5477: www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30111/supplements/5477/ DSO citation from the London Gazette, 16 September 1918, p. 10863: Capt. Alfred Raymond Bare, M.C., N. Lan. R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Under cover of a heavy barrage the enemy attacked, very quickly surrounding a strong point, where this officer had his company headquarters and one platoon. In face of superior numbers, he put up a stout resistance until forced to retire on to another strong point, where the position was very critical, the officer in charge having been killed. He took command, and after a stiff fight, drove back the enemy. He was twice wounded during the fight." www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30901/supplements/10863/

An officer of the same name was earlier commissioned into the 22nd County of London Regiment: London Gazette, 3 November 1914, p. 8894: "22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen's); the undermentioned Second Lieutenants to be Lieutenants. Dated 25th September, 1914 : -- Alfred R. Bare. John D. Tate." www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28961/pages/8894/ London Gazette, 12 August 1915, p. 8009: "22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen's); the undermentioned Lieutenants to be temporary Captains: -- Lawrence J. Clarke. Dated 10th July, 1915. Noel C. Boosey (since died of wounds). Dated 10th July, 1915. Alfred R. Bare, Dated 23rd July, 1915." www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29261/supplements/8009/

A Major A. R. Bare, DSO, MC, ret. appears in the list of retired officers re-employed in the Second World War, 31/7/1943 (Army List, January-March 1944, p 2991): archive.org/details/armylistaprpart221944gre

My Headmistress, Miss Swanton's husband. He made a good Santa every year at the Swan School, Salisbury. (At least, I thought it was him - others say it was Major Higdon - the disguise worked!) I was there September 1964 until July 1968. He was born on the 26th March 1886. (It was both of them! They took it in turns.)

4th Bn. Loyal #.—Lt.-Col. A. R. Bare, D.S.O., M.C. (Maj. ret. pay), resigns his commn. 4th Apr. 1938. www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34509/page/3024/data.pdf THE LONDON GAZETTE, 10 MAY, 1938

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