Born in Napanee, Ontario. The son of Mary Esther (nee Ham) Brisco. The brother of Dr. N. A. Brisco,  Fred H., Ira Ernest C. (a Chatham alderman) and Roy M. and sister of Miss Nettie of Harden, NY. . Clarence was living with his mother at 188 Lacroix St., Chatham, ON. He attended the Chatham Collegiate Institute before attending Queen’s University, Kingston, where he was a Sergeant Major in the University Corps.  He practiced medicine in Toronto in December 1915. Clarence graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine. At the age of twenty, he was of the youngest doctors to the final examinations in the history of the institution. He was practicing medicine at Rockwood Hospital, Kingston, ON. when the war broke out.

In December of 1914 Clarence enlisted as a Private with Number 5 Stationary Hospital  staff, then went overseas with that unit to England where he transferred to the RAMC as a Lieutenant.

Sergeant Major Clarence A. Brisco went overseas with Queen’s University Corps, and transferred in England to the R.A.M.C. as Lieutenant. Sailed for France with 73rd Field Ambulance B.E.F. August 30th, 1915 and remained with that unit until demobilized.

• promoted to Captain —- May 28th, 1916.
• promoted to Major ——- Feb 28th, 1918.

It was reported in the Chatham Daily Planet 10/11/17 that Captain Brisco had been awarded the Military Cross for “distinguished conduct” while serving with the Royal Army Medical corp in France. The Chatham Daily Planet of 14/01/18, reported in part the citation for his Military Cross was as follows:

“…who after twenty-four hours tending the wounded, without sleep or rest, conducted stretcher parties over shell-swept ground and machine gun fire and almost impassable on account of the mud. He showed a total disregard for his personal danger, both during the attack and for several days afterwards, and by his splendid devotion and gallantry encouraged his men under the worst imaginable conditions.”  

The above action took place during the British attack on Passchendale in May of 1917 where he was twice buried and tossed about by exploding artillery shells. From 21/03/18 to 19/04/18. In the letter Major Brisco stated that early this month he had again enlisted for another period of service with theArmy Medical Corps. 

In May of 1918 Capt. Brisco was promoted to Major Brisco. He had also added two Bars to his Military Cross (in effect, he won three Military Crosses the medal for Passchendale and to additional citations). All for his “conspicuous work in the field of battle.”

He was twice Mentioned In Dispatches for his courage, first by Field Marshall Douglas Haig in the fall of 1915 and, secondly by Field Marshall Frenc.

In a letter home to relatives, he stated that he had not had his cloths of from March 21 to April 19. Despite this, he had enlisted for another period of service at the front with the Army Medical Corps. CDP 23/05/18.

Mayor Fred Brisco, the war behind him arrived back in Chatham in April 1919. Accompanied by his brother Ernest who met him in Toronto. He would then go to Timmins, ON to begin his practice and labored there until leaving for England in hopes of effecting a recovery.

Discharged at London due to demobilization March 7th, 1919.

After the war Dr. Brisco had a practice in Timmins, ON. 4 September, 1920.

Dr. Brisco passed away in London, England, 22 January, 1924. He had returned to England with his nephew Major F. H. Brisco. He had been suffering from a “malady precipitated by the after effects of his war time experiences.” He was only thirty at his death.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	MC (2 Bars), Major, MID
Sources	Chatham Daily Planet (28-11-1914), Chatham Daily Planet (10-11-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (14-01-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (22-04-1918), Chatham Daily Planet (23-05-1918), Chatham Daily News (10-04-1919), Chatham Daily News (14-04-1919), Chatham Daily Planet (24-09-1919), IODE, A. Fisher (Ancestry. Ca)

Height	5' 9"
Eye Colour	Blue
Age	25
Complexion	Fair
Hair	Fair
Race	White
Birthplace	Napanee, Ontario.
Religion	Anglican
Last Place of Employment	Rockwell Hospital.
Marital Status	Single
When Enlisted	May, 1915
Where Enlisted	Kingston, Ontario
Next of Kin	Brother- Fred H. Brisco, Chatham, Ontario.

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