BRIMACOMBE, Thomas Alexander

DIVISIONAL UNIT:         4th Canadian Infantry Division
                                             11th / 12th Infantry Brigades
                                             4th Divisional Machine Gun Battalion
                                             No. 3 Company
                                             Canadian Machine Gun Corps
SERVICE NO:                   844090
RESIDENCE:                    Wilkesport – Ontario 
DATE OF BIRTH:            August 13, 1897
                                             Exeter – Hay, Stephen and Usborne Township - County of Huron - Ontario
DATE OF DEATH:           October 31, 1918                 21 years     2 months
CEMETERY:                     Denain Communal Cemetery – Denain –
                                             Nord – France
                                                  C     42
PARENTS:                         Mr. and Mrs. William Brimacombe – Hay - Ontario               
Occupation:                        Farmer                                  Religion:     Methodist
Enlistment:                         Brigden – January 15, 1916 - Lampton County - Ontario
Enlistment Age:                 19 years     5 months

Private Brimacombe arrived in Liverpool on April 7, 1917 and that same day is taken on strength by the 25th Reserve Battalion based at Bramshott - Hampshire. He was then posted to the 161st Huron Battalion on June 1, 1917 and then absorbed into the 4th Canadian Reserve Battalion based at Camp Witley - Surrey on February 23, 1918.
He was then taken on Strength by the Canadian Machine Gun Depot located at Bramshott - Hampshire on March 29, 1918 and then on August 18, 1918 he was transferred overseas to the Canadian Machine Gun Pool and arrived in France on August 19, 1918. He was taken on strength by the 4th Canadian Machine Gun Battalion joining them in the field on September 29, 1918.
From information gathered it is believed that the 4th Division was located near Valenciennes south of Auberichourt and were to co-operate with the British XXII Corps.
For the operation of November 1, 1918, the 4th Division was tasked with taking the high ground east of Valenciennes in order that the bridges over the Canal de l’Escaut could be established into the town.
The second Phase of capturing the Blue and Green lines by the 10th Brigade on the Divisional Front. This was to be completed by the end of the day October 31, 1918.  
No. 2 & 3 Companies had a total of 32 guns and were to cover the advance of the 11th & 12th Infantry Brigades. No. 3 Company and No. 2 Company were to provide enfilade machine gun fire in support of the 10th Infantry Brigade. Private Brimacombe’s Battery was located at Thiant / Wavrachain. It seems they were being relieved on that day and were in their consolidated positions. However, the enemy machine-guns and artillery was reported to have been very heavy all day
Private Brimacombe was killed whilst he was performing his military duties and on this day, this soldier was working at his gun position when he was struck and killed immediately from enemy shell fire.