George Levick Brett
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Levick Brett was born in 1887 in Worksop, the son of William and Jessie Brett, nee Knibbs. The couple had married in 1883 in Worksop with William working as a bricklayer. (His father was a stonemason). Their residence for many years was 102 Netherton Road. 1893 saw a brother born for George, named Harry, but In 1899, his mother, Jessie died age 40 after 16 years of marriage. 2 years later, when George was 14, he was working (probably for, or with,) his father as a bricklayer. After 11 years as a widower, William married again in Worksop to Emma Holbery. By the following year, George had become a journeyman bricklayer and was recorded as being a visitor in the household of Charles Hoskins, a Wesleyan Minister, living at Creswell.
Corporal George Levick Brett, was a pre-war regular soldier, mobilised following the outbreak of war, he landed on the Gallipoli peninsula on 9th May 1915. He was serving with the 1st Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers, when was killed in action on 4th June 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. Pte G.L.Brett Worksop Guardian 14 July1916 About twelve months ago Pte, George Levick Brett, of the King’s Own Scottish Boarders, was reported missing in Gallipoli, and this week the War Office has formally notified his father, Mr William Brett, of 102, Netherton Rd, Worksop, that there is a reason to believe that he was killed on June 4th 1915. The last news received from him was contained in a letter written on two sheets of his pocket book, and dated the 3rd June, 1915. He wrote that he was living in the trenches about a mile from the firing line. They were, he said, in a worse position than ever, for the enemy were continually shelling them. “On Sunday morning they gave it us awful for about two hours “. His regiment, he wrote, was called upon to lead the attack on a hill, and he was afraid a good many would not get to the top of the hill. “If I am one of these”, he wrote, “Will you just think of me doing my bit for my country and having done my duty?” This was the last heard of him. Pte Brett was a Reservist of the K.O.S.B, and prior to his recall to the colours carried on a bricklayer’s business in Doncaster, and employed several men. His father is mason to the Canal Company, and there is a younger brother, Pte Harry Brett with the R.E. in Belgium.
CWG additional information:- Son of William and Jesse Brett, of 102, Netherton Rd., Worksop, Notts Commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey. Research by Colin Dannatt
