Private Tom Brutnell

An apprentice hosiery mechanic and the eldest son of William and Fanny Brutnell, of the Royal Oak Public House, High Street, Kibworth Beauchamp, Tom joined the Army Reserve on 15th February 1916. He was mobilized on 8th February 1917 and posted to the Army Service Corps (1031st M.T. Coy) at Grove Park to undertake training as a caterpillar fitter.

He completed his training on 11th October 1917, service number M/288795, and was en route to Egypt aboard the troopship “Aragon” when it was sunk by the German U-boat UC-34 on 30th December 1917. Of the 2700 passengers on board the “Aragon”, 610 were lost at sea. He was awarded the British War Medal.

Private Brutnell is commemorated on the Chatby Memorial, located east of Alexandria, Egypt.