William Brewster
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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William Brewster was born in 1894 at Newark and was the son of Joseph a blacksmiths striker and Elizabeth Brewster née Bellamy of 34 Myrtle Grove, Beeston, Nottinghamshire. His father Joseph was born in 1863 at Newark and his mother Elizabeth Bellamy was born in 1871 at Poplar, London, they were married in 1889 at Newark and went on to have 9 children, sadly two died in infancy or early childhood, their surviving children were, Alfred b1890, Lucy b1892, William b 1894, Harry b1896, Joseph b 1900, Herbert b1905 and Irene b1909, all were born in Newark. In the 1911 census the family are living at 1 Cawkwell Square, St Marks Lane, Newark and are shown as Joseph 48 yrs a blacksmith striker, he is living with his wife Elizabeth 40 yrs and their children, William 17 yrs a maltsters labourer, Harry 15 yrs a fishing tackle maker, Joseph 11 year a scholar, Herbert 6 yrs a scholar and Irene 2 yrs.
William Brewster entered theatre (France) on 6 March 1915 and probably arrived with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters on 11th. May 9th saw the battalion attacking once again and this time around Rouge Blancs. They found themselves up against a strong enemy and constant machine gun fire. It was yet another hopeless attack and a costly one. It would also see the 2nd Victoria cross awarded to a man in the battalion - Corporal James Upton rescued many wounded whilst under constant fire. William was one of 52 other ranks killed during the day. He is buried at Y Farm Military Cemetery, Bois-Grenier, France. grave E.30 John Morse
His brother Private Harry Brewster enlisted on 8th May 1913 at Newark and served with the Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He went to France on 16th January 1917 and was admitted to 11th Stationary Hospital Rouen, France suffering from Trench Foot 17th December 1917. He was transferred to England on the 20th December 1917. He returned to France 4th April 1918, he went on to suffer gunshot wounds to his head and fractured skull 17th April 1918. He was treated at No.36 Casualty Clearing Station and sent to No. 8 Stationary Hospital , Wimereux, France 28th April 1918 and died the same day aged 22. He is buried/Commemorated : Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. Plot 9. Row A. Grave 43. Article published 29th May 1915 in the Newark Herald :- Son of Mr & Mrs J. Brewster, 4, Mount Zion Square, Eldon Street, Newark. Employed in the maltkilns of Messrs. Jas Hole & Co., Castle Brewery before joining the army in July 1914. Attended Christ Church Day School and the Baptist Sunday School. Has three brothers, the eldest, Alf who is married and formerly lived in Beeston, is in the navy. Harry & Joseph are with the 2/8th Sherwood Foresters at Luton.
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