Father Brindle, D.S.O. 251 



became necessary to send the gunners an order to prevent them 

 inflicting further casualties on our own men. Father Brindle 

 took this order to them across open ground that was under a 

 heavy fire from the enemy, and was thus able to save rather an 

 awkward situation. 



Speaking of the battle of Omdurman, he was full of admira- 

 tion of the skilful generalship and tactics of the British com- 

 mander, who had told him several months before the event came 

 to pass that he would be in Khartoum on September 1st. His 

 arrangements had been made with the utmost forethought, and 

 they were as complete as skill could make them. He considered 

 the organisation at Omdurman wonderful, and said : 



" We found ourselves lined up, British, Egyptians, and 

 Soudanese, numbering 20,000 men. All distances had been 

 marked, and when the Khalifa's men charged magnificently, as 

 they did at the first blush of dawn, we knew the day was 

 Kitchener's." 



The story of this battle has been told many times. The 

 beating of the war-drums, the onrush of the Dervishes, how 

 they rode to the attack and were mown down as they advanced. 



In the advance of our troops Father Brindle was in the 

 firing-line. He loved in his own quiet and convincing way to 

 relate the incidents of this victory. 



His love for discipline was much appreciated by Lord 

 Kitchener, for not only did he impress its necessity on the men, 

 but he himself gave implicit obedience to all in authority. 

 Once when the troops were making a forced march he remained 

 behind. Lord Kitchener sent for him and asked, " Why were 

 you not there ? " receiving the reply, " Because, sir, I re- 

 ceived no orders." 



After the final wipe-out of the Dervish armies there came the 

 memorable entrance into Khartoum and the impressive me- 

 morial service. No one realised more fully than Father Brindle 

 what that day was to Lord Kitchener : one of bitter regret at 

 being too late, and intense joy and gratification at having 

 successfully accomplished his task. 



Lord Kitchener felt strangely drawn to Father Brindle on 

 this occasion, I know, and was grateful for his tactful sympathy. 



There were three officiating chaplains at the Gordon 

 Memorial Service, and a special prayer composed by Father 



