Issue 89 of the NZ Founders Bulletin has now been distributed to all branches. Please contact your branch to purchase a copy. Due to the size of the publication, the article included here was missed.
A life dedicated to service — in war, and for his community
— Herbert Wedgwood Brabant (1898-1977)
by Maree Lewis, Founders, Bay of Plenty Branch
The WWI centenary celebrations have been especially poignant for Bay of Plenty Founders’ Society member, Barbara Comiskey; with her late father, Herbert Brabant, having fought in both the great conflicts of the 20th century.
Born in Auckland on 26 Jan 1898, Herbert Brabant arrived in Whakatane as an infant and attended the local primary school. Whakatane was then accessible only by sea, so he soon travelled back and forth by coastal steamer to attend Auckland Grammar School for his secondary education. No doubt enthused by the school’s fervent patriotism, he enlisted in the Army while still a student, soon after the declaration of war in 1914. His enlistment papers read, ‘Occupation: Scholar.’
Gunner Brabant served for two years in the 1st Battery NZEF in France, Belgium and Germany, and was wounded at Bapaume, but was fortunately amongst those who returned home safely. He chose to remain in the New Zealand Territorial forces.
He spent several years working for the Vacuum Oil Company, and had wed Te Awamutu lass, Joyce Benseman, before he returned to the family business of Brabant Brothers’ Garage in Whakatane in 1931. Two sons, George and Barry, were joined in 1932 by younger sister, Barbara.
With war again looming, Bert was promoted to 2nd Lt Hauraki Regiment Territorials, in 1938, and he enlisted in September 1939 within days of war being once more declared. Appointed Lt 24th Auckland Battalion, he saw active service in Egypt, Libya and Greece, where he was wounded in action in 1941. He was captured in Cyrenaica shortly after this but escaped and rejoined the British lines. Promoted to Captain in 1942, he then returned to NZ (still on duty), to command the 7th Reserve Motor Transport Co., and then the 7th Composite Company Army Service Corps.
Fighting was still going on in Europe when ‘Herb’ was discharged and returned home. He was accompanied by several other members of his ‘outfit’, who then spent the rest of their working lives at Brabant Brothers’ Garage, working with Herb and his brother Keith. An ex-Army ZC1 radio transmitter also came back to Whakatane with Herb, and this formed the basis of ‘Radio Station ZLRE Whakatane’ which provided a ship-to-shore radio service for vessels working out of Whakatane and around the coast, for the next 30 years. This service, operated voluntarily by Herb and his wife Joyce, helped many vessels in distress, particularly on the crossing of the bar, and was known widely for its weather reports and other services offered to men at sea. It later merged into the Coast Guard.
Herbert Brabant and his wife, Joyce Brabant, were jointly awarded the British Empire Medal by the Queen in 1971 for their years of volunteer service to those at sea.
Herbert Brabant died on 22 October 1977. He and Joyce are well-remembered in their home town, and their daughter, Barbara Comiskey, has followed their example of serving her community, and was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for her years of work in Whakatane.
Photos:
Lieutenant Herbert Brabant leaving for World War I.
Herbert and Joyce Brabant photographed in 1971.
Barbara Comiskey, QSM