Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Dienstplichtig Sergeant (Enlisted Sergeant)

Unit:

Infanterie

Royal Decree no. 9 dated 9 March, 1944.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Reserve Tweede Luitenant der Infanterie (Second Lieutenant of Infantry Reserves)

Unit:

Services Reconnaissance Department (SRD), Australian Army

Awarded on:

January 31st, 1948

Citation
"This officer was a member of seven patrols into enemy held territory by Services Reconnaissance Department, all of which were eventful and arduous, and at all times his courage, cheerfulness and leadership, and devotion to duty were outstanding.
During one operation at HIRI Island from 8-11 April 1945, the S.R.D. party was surprised by a superior Japanese patrol. Through his own personal energy, courage and ladership,BRUNINGS succeeded in bringing a number of one day trained guerrillas into the fight, resulting in the whole Japanes patrol being killed.
on SIAOE Island on 11/12 June 45, the S.R.D. patrol in P.T. boats was the first to realise that a native who had been contacted was misderecting the party into a Japanese ambush. The party then withdrew, and the enemy abandoned their ambush and pursued the party. Brunings was first to open fire, and continued to engage the enemy with cheerful, enthusiasm throughout the withdrawal, which included a slow paddle back into the P.T. boat in a rubber boat.
By his knowledge of the people initially, and subsequently by his own skill at arms, he contributed greatly to the withdrawal of the party with only one casualty."

WO 373/155/612
Granted permissionfor the award by the British Government on 31 january, 1948.
Investiture in The Hague by the Australian authorised Minister on 10 September, 1948.
His SOE-file in the National Archives remains secret until 01 January 2020