Harry Browitt
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Harry Browitt was the son of Henry Browitt and Eliza Browitt (née Brittan).
His father Henry was born in Bottesford, Leicestershire, in May 1860, the son of Solomon Browitt (b. 1818) and his wife Elizabeth (née Gilden, m. Bottesford 1838). In 1881 he was a railway labourer, living with his parents and siblings at Mount Pleasant, Bottesford.
His mother, Eliza Brittan, the daughter of John Brittan, a lacemaker, was born in Nottingham about 1858.
Henry, a platelayer, and Eliza, a lace worker, both of Clarence Street, Sneinton, were married at Sneinton St Matthias on 24 July 1882.
According to the 1911 Census, they had eight children of whom only four survived. Birth and baptismal records have identified six children. Similar names were chosen for several of their daughters.
Elisa/Eliza Ann b. September 1884 bap. Sneinton St Matthias 2 November 1884; John b. October 1886 bap. (John Henry) Sneinton St Matthias 23 January 1887; Sarah Ann b. 1889 (JAS) d. 1889 (OND); Annie b. 1890 (OND) bap. Hyson Green St Paul 7 June 1891 d. 1892 (Sept) burial Nottingham St Mary 30 August 1892; Elizabeth b. 1892 (JAS); May b. 1896 bap. Sneinton St Alban 21 July 1896 d. 1899 (AMJ) buried Nottingham St Catherine 29 June 1899 and Harry b. 1899 (AMJ) bap. Nottingham St John 7 May 1899.
The following home addresses are from baptismal/burial registers: 1884 - Poplar Terrace. 1886 - 182 Long Hedge Lane. 1891 - 2 Dalkeith Terrace. 1892 - Walker Street. 1896 -4 Littlewood Place. 1899 - 7 Queen's Square.
At the time of the 1891 Census, some months before their daughter Annie's baptism, Harry, a carter, his wife and their children Eliza (6), John (4) and Ann (5m b, 1890) were living at 15 Midlothian Terrace, Radford. Another daughter, Sarah Ann, had died in infancy in 1889.
The couple had moved to 2 Dalkeith Terrace, Hyson Green, by June 1891 when their youngest child, Annie, was baptised. Annie died in 1890 aged about 2 years. Elizabeth was born in 1892 and May was born five years later in 1896 but died aged three in 1899 Harry was born in 1899.
The family has not yet been traced on the 1901 Census but when their son Harry was baptised in May 1899 they were living at 7 Queen's Square.
Their son John Henry married Florence Hopkin in 1909 (JFM Nottingham). In 1911 John, a carter (employer coal carter), and Florence, working for a hair net manufacturer, were living on Vincent Terrace, Randall Street, Hyson Green. They had had two children who had died in infancy. They subsquently had eight children: John H (1912), Dorothy (1914), Nellie (1917 d. 1917), William (b. 1920), Arthur (b. 1922), Olive E (b. 1924), Brenda (b. 1926) and Mabel (b. 1928). In 1921 they were living at 3a Peveril Street, Radford, with their three children, John (9), Dorothy (6) and William (1).
In 1911 Harry, a coal carter, his wife were living at 37 Brushfield, Nottingham. Also in the household were their daughters Annie [Eliza Annie] aged 26 (b. 1884), a lace jennier, Elizabeth aged 18 (b. 1892) and son Harry who was twelve years old.
Eliza Ann (Annie) married Henry Sladen in 1913. Her husband served in the 2/7 Sherwood Foresters and was killed on 21 March 1918.
Henry Browitt's wife, Eliza, died aged 59 in 1917 (burial 22 September).
Henry completed a form for the Army on 16 October 1919 listing his late son's surviving blood relatives:
Father: [Henry] Brewitt, 16 Player Street, Radford. Mother: 'none' (sic).
Brother: John Brewitt (32) 3 Peverel Street, Nottingham
Sisters: Eliza Ann Sladen (34) and Elizabeth Brewitt (27), 16 Player Street.
Elizabeth (27) of 16 Player Street, married Samuel George Bacon, a 'railway man', son of John Wharmby Bacon, at Lenton parish church on 6 March 1920. In 1921 Samuel, an order man (hosiery firm), Elizabeth and their son Horace E. (2m) were living on Down Street, Leicester.
Elizabeth Bacon died in 1980 aged 87 (b. June 1892).
Henry, a carter (Nottingham Corporation), and his widowed daughter Annie [Eliza Ann] Sladen, unpaid domestic duties, were still living at 16 Player Street in 1921. They subsequently moved to Leicester and were recorded on the 1939 England & Wales Register: Henry Browitt, retired, Eliza A [Annie] Sladen (1884) and her nephew, Henry's grandson, Arthur Browitt (b. 1922), the son of John Henry and Florence Browitt.
Henry died in 1941 aged 80 and his daughter Eliza Ann Sladen in 1947 aged 62, both deaths registered Leicester.
His son John Henry died in 1962 aged 75 and John's widow, Florence, in 1966 aged 78.
Harry Browitt enlisted in Nottingham on 22 February 1917, age 17y 358d, occupation carter, home address 16 Player Street.
He trained at Rugeley Camp, Staffordshire, left there 16 August 1917 and was initially assigned to the 8th Training Reserve Battalion. He spent time with 51st (Grad.) Bn. King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and the West Riding Regiment.
Harry embarked for France on 27 March 1918 and was assigned to the 25th Northumberland Fusiliers; subsequently transferring to the 15th Durham Light Infantry on 16 June 1918.
He was serving with 'A' Company, 15th Battalion, when he was killed in action on 24 August 1918.
Report of death of soldier: 46599 Private Harry Browitt, 15th DLI ‘A’ Coy, killed ‘in the field’ report made by OC 15th Bn (Memo 26 August 1918).
Harry's body was exhumed from a temporary grave after the Armistice and his father was informed on 20 January 1920 that his son's body had been reinterred in the Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France (grave ref. VII. A. 10). See 'Extra information'.
He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
CWGC history of Regina Trench Cemetery (extract): 'Regina Trench was a German earthwork, captured for a time by the 5th Canadian Brigade on 1 October 1916, attacked again by the 1st and 3rd Canadian Divisions on 8 October, taken in part by the 18th and 4th Canadian Divisions on 21 October, and finally cleared by the 4th Canadian Division on 11 November 1916. The original part of the cemetery (now Plot II, Rows A to D) was made in the winter of 1916-1917. The cemetery was completed after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of Courcelette, Grandcourt and Miraumont; most date from October 1916 to February 1917. Two considerable groups of scattered graves, classed as cemeteries, were concentrated in to Regina Trench Cemetery [listed]' (www.cwgc.org)
His brother, John Henry, may have served in the war in the Liverpool Regiment (48667 Lance Corporal).
His sister Eliza Ann's husband, Henry Sladen, served with the 2/7 Sherwood Foresters (266443 Corporal) and was killed on 21 March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
Nottingham General Cemetery, family grave, headstone inscription: ‘In loving memory of Eliza, the dearly beloved wife of Henry Brewitt, who passed away Sept. 19th 1917. Peace after pain. Also of Henry Sladen the beloved husband of Annie Sladen, son-in-law of the above, killed in action March 21st 1918 aged 19 years. A great sacrifice. Also Henry the beloved husband of the above who died April 5th 1941 aged (-). Re-united. Also Eliza Ann beloved wife of Henry Sladen (-).’
CWGC Additional information: Son of Henry Browitt, of 16, Player St., Radfold, Nottingham.
CWGC headstone, personal inscription: A great sacrifice
Harry's private property was returned to father, Mr H Browitt, 16 Player Street, Nottingham, on 30 November 1918 (acknowledged 13 December 1918) and comprised: photos, wallet, tobacco pouch, safety razor in case.
DLI/9169/2053/1
From: The Colonel in Charge, No. 1. Infantry Records, York,
To: Mr H Browitt, 16, Player St, Radford, Nottingham.
No. 1 Infantry Record Office, York, 20th January 1920.
Sir, I beg to inform you that it has been necessary to exhume the remains of the late No. 46599, Private, H. Browitt, 15th, Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, for proper Burial at Regina Trench Cemetery, 5½ miles North East of Albert. The new grave has been duly marked with a Cross bearing all the late soldier’s particulars. The removal was undertaken with every measure of care and reverence, and the re-interrment conducted by an Army Chaplain.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Signed for Colonel, i/c No. 1. Infantry Records.
Photo of Harry Browitt
Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, Somme, France (www.cwgc.org)
Photo of Harry Browitt
Nottingham General Cemetery. Family grave/headstone. Photograph RF (2026)