Frederick David Brewster

Frederick David Brewster was the son of John Fell Brewster and Sophia Brewster (née Wilmore also Willmore). His father John Fell was born in North Somercotes, Lincolnshire, in 1850 (A/M/J Louth Lincolnshire), the son of David Brewster, a bricklayer. He married first Anna Maria Richardson at Hull St Mark on 11 August 1872 by whom he had at least five children, two of whom died in infancy; Alice Ann b. 1873 (d. 1874), Ernest Edwin b. 16 July 1875, Walter b. 1877, Herbert b. 1880 and Ann Maria b. 1883 (d. 1883). In 1881 the family was living in Great Grimsby, Caistor. John's wife died in 1883 aged about 34. His mother Sophia was born in Caistor, Lincolnshire, in 1860 (J/F/M Caistor), the daughter of George and Susan Wilmore (née Clark m. 1848 Grasby Lincolnshire). In 1881 she was living with her parents on Brigg Road, Caistor. Sophia had a son George Thomas Wilmore in 1882. George was probably brought up in Caistor by his grandmother, Susan, until the age of eight after which he was in the care of a Mrs Jennie Wilson of Newark. He joined the Army in 1900. John and Sophia were married in 1885 (A/M/J Caistor), two years after the death of his first wife, and had six children one of whom died in infancy. Their surviving children were: Alice Sophia b. Great Grimsby Caistor 1886 (J/A/S Caistor), Annie Maria b. Great Grimsby 1888 (A/M/J), John Willie b. Great Grimsby 1889 (O/N/D), Frederick David b. Nottingham 1898 (J/A/S) and Henry David b. Nottingham 14 February 1900. In 1891 John, a bricklayer, and Sophia were living in Great Grimsby with three of John's children by his first wife - Ernest (15) a saw mill labourer, Walter (14) a bricklayer and Herbert (13) - and their two daughters, Alice (5) and Ann (3). They had moved to Nottingham by 1901 where they were living at 7 Carsington Place with three of their five children John (11), Frederick (2) and Henry (1). In 1911 John and Sophia were living at 40 Constance Street, Nottingham, with four of their children, Alice Sophia (24) a hosiery worker, John William (21) a twist lace hand, Frederick (12) and Henry (11). Frederick and Sophia were living at 60 Gladstone Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham, when Frederick jnr. attested in 1914 and still living at the same address in May 1919 when Sophia completed a form for the army listing the surviving blood relatives of her son George Wilmore. Sophia Brewster died in October 1927, burial 26 October, and her husband John died in September 1929, burial 7 September. Frederick David married Florence Shipman (b. 5 February 1896) in 1917 (J/F/M Nottingham); they lived at 4 Hyson Passage, Nottingham. There were no children of the marriage. His widow married Arthur Hooten (b. 14 January 1896) in 1920 (A/M/J Nottingham) and lived at 4 Hyson Passage, Lindsey Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Arthur, a circular sawyer wood, and Florence, a cleaner, were living on Wimbourne Road, Nottingham, with their daughter Joan (b. 27 May 1927) a telephone switchboard assembler. Florence died in 1988 (J/A/S Rushcliffe).

When he attested in 1914 he gave his occupation as grocer's assistant.

60 Gladstone Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham

Frederick David attested on 10 September 1914 giving his age as 19 years 33 days, although he was born in 1898 (J/A/S) and so only16 years old. He was posted to the 13th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps and had a record of various offences: 8 November 1914 - deprived 2 days’ pay & 3 days confined barracks. Overstaying his pass from 10pm 8 November until Tattoo 9 November 1914. 22 February 1915 - deprived 1 days’ pay & 5 days CB. Overstaying his pass from midnight Feb (-) until 9pm 22nd inst. 6 March 1915 - awarded 5 days detention. For insolence to a NCO. 29 March 1915 - deprived a days’ pay. Outstaying his pass from 11pm March 27th until Tattoo 28 March 1915 He was discharged from the Corps at Windmill Hill Camp on 22 May 1915 under 'para. 92 King's Regulations having made a misstatement as to age on enlistment and struck off strength from 22 May 1915'. He was later conscripted and served with the 21st (Tyneside Scottish) Northumberland Fusiliers. Frederick died of wounds on 14th October 1917 and is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery (grave ref. 11.F.13). CWGC Dozinghem Military Cemetery (extract): 'Westvleteren was outside the front held by Commonwealth forces in Belgium during the First World War, but in July 1917, in readiness for the forthcoming offensive, groups of casualty clearing stations were placed at three positions called by the troops Mendinghem, Dozinghem and Bandaghem. The 4th, 47th and 61st Casualty Clearing Stations were posted at Dozinghem and the military cemetery was used by them until early in 1918. '

Frederick David's half-brother, George Thomas Percival Wilmore, served in the Lincolnshire Regiment from 12 February 1900 to August 1912. He attested in the 8th Sherwood Foresters from January 1914 and served with the 1/8th battalion in France from 2 March 1915. He was killed in action on 21 April 1915 and is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. (See record on this Roll of Honour) CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Duty done' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 30 October 1917: ‘Brewster. Died of wounds received in action, October 14th 1917, Pte FD Brewster, Northumberland Fusiliers. All is dark within my dwelling, lonely is my heart to-day, for the one I loved so dearly, has for ever passed away. Duty nobly done. His sorrowing wife Florrie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Florence was his legatee.