| Rank | Lieutenant, Captain |
| Unit # | 91st, 186th |
| 24th Reg. | Yes |
| Resident | Chatham |
Garnet Brackin was the son of James and Sarah Brackin, born 1885 in Chatham . He was 5ft, 11 inches tall , fair complexion, blue eyes and light brown hair . He was a member and sang in the choir of St Andrews Church [then Presbyterian]
His father was of Irish ancestry, coming to Chatham from Newmarket in 1883 to teach and be Principal of the new Forest St School, now McKeough School Garnet, along with his brother Robert , who was a very clever lawyer and politician, sisters Mary Jacks of Wallaceburg and Bessie, a music teacher [CCI], were all raised in an atmosphere of schools , music and politics.
Garnet played in the McKeough school band , played Lacrosse and was employed by the Pere Marquette Railways , earning $1000. a year . He resided at 309 Wellington St .West in Chatham
He enlisted in Chatham in October 1915 in the 91st regiment, stationed in St Thomas , Ontario 1915-16, as second in command with Colonel P.K. Morley , also from Chatham.
He transferred to the 186th overseas battalion “A” company in 1917, promoted to rank of Captain in a very short time . He went to England with the unit and after special courses , he reverted his rank to Lieutenant to enable to go to France in August 1917 with the 18th battalion. He was mentioned in Sir Haigs dispatches for conspicuous work during the Passchendale operation of November 1917.
Lieutenant Brackin transferred from the 91st to the 186th and was promoted to the rank of Captain.
He went overseas with this the 18th, and after special courses in England, proceeded to France on August 12, 1917.
He reverted to rank of Subaltern and went to France in Aug. 1917 and was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s dispatches for conspicuous work during the Passchendaele operations in November of 1917.
On August 26th, 1918 , the first day of the battle of ARRAS , Lieutenant Brackin at the age of 33, was instantly killed by a shell whilst leading his platoon in the work of clearing the village of Guemappe, on the Arras-Cambrae Road.
He received the General service medal and a medal for service in France,where he was awarded again the rank of Captain.
Colonel P.K. Morley stated he was handsome, excellent soldier with a tremendous personality. He was the “nicest and most popular Junior officer , he had the pleasure of serving with.”
Above information from Chatham Museum , Victor Lauriston’s “Romantic Kent “, Mr William Gray {William St.}and Colonel P.K. Morley {Patteson Ave}.
Origin of the Capt Garnet Brackin Chapter IODE – as told to Sandra Smith of IODE Garnet Brackin Chapter:
Capt. Brackin’s sister, Bessie, was a music teacher at Chatham Collegiate Institute (CCI) and started the Captain Garnet Brackin Chapter, as a junior chapter in 1930 in memory of her brother, with members being students at CCI.
Vera Armstrong, who was a charter member of this chapter at CCI, related this beginning:
Vera said that the focus of the junior chapter – from teacher Bessie Brackin, was that “they were going to form a group and have lots of fun” so Vera joined. Vera said she was “into having fun so, count me in”.
In 1943, the Capt. Garnet Brackin Junior Chapter became a formal or primary chapter. Their motto as a junior chapter was “Play Up and Play the Game” which was retained for their Primary Chapter.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Cenotaph | Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham |
| Awards | Mentioned in Dispatches, Military Cross |
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (14-09-1917), Blenheim News Tribune (31-05-1916), Chatham Daily Planet (22-04-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (15-06-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (23-01-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (06-09-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (11-09-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (13-09-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (05-10-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (11-10-1917) |
| Supplemental Information | Mother: Mrs. Sarah A. Brackin, Chatham Brother: Robert L. Sister: Mrs. Mary K. Jacks Sister: Bessie Brackin |
| Height | 5'11" |
| Eye Colour | Blue |
| Age | 33 |
| Complexion | Fair |
| Hair | Light Brown |
| Race | White |
| Birthplace | Chatham, Ontario |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Last Place of Employment | Pere Marquette Railway Company |
| Average Earnings | 1000/yr |
| Marital Status | Single |
| When Enlisted | October 1915 |
| Where Enlisted | Chatham, Ontario |
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