Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George William Brewitt, J.P. a farmer, born 1854 in Kirby Bellars, Leics., and his wife Frances Mary Brewitt (nee Sharman, married in the 3rd quarter of 1891 in the Melton Mowbray, Leics. district), born 1864 in Melton Mowbray, Leics. Owen Reginald was born in 1896 in Great Dalby, Leics., his siblings were Thomas Warren, born 1892 and George Francis, born 1893 and James Leonard, born 1895, the latter three siblings were all born in Great Dalby, Leics., Janet Mary, born 1898 and Frederick Harold, born 1899, the latter two siblings were both born in Melton Mowbray, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at 12, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics. In April 1911 Owen was a scholar and was residing in the family home at Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, George, Janet, Frederick and John Rupert, born 1904 in Melton Mowbray, Leics. Owen died in the 1st quarter of 1926 the death being registered in the Spilsby, Lincolnshire registration district. His younger brother James Leonard Brewitt fell in action.
On Friday July 2nd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – THREE BROTHERS GAZETTED. Mr. Reginald Brewitt (son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Brewitt, The Priory, Melton Mowbray), who has been serving with the Royal Horse Guards (Blues) has been gazetted a Second Lieutenant in the Staffordshire Yeomanry. His brother Mr. Leonard Brewitt, holds a similar commission in the same Regiment, as does also another brother, Mr. George Francis Brewitt, in the Leicestershire Yeomanry.
On Friday April 20th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – MELTONIAN’S FRENCH DECORATION.- The numerous friends of Lieut. O. R. Brewitt, Staffordshire Yeomanry (son of Mr and Mrs G. W. Brewitt, The Priory, Melton Mowbray) will be interested to learn that he has been awarded the Medaille Militaire by the French War Office for gallant conduct whilst in the Blues in 1915, when his regiment went to the assistance of the Leicestershire Yeomanry on May 13th and was wounded. The same month Mr Brewitt received the following letter from the late Lieut.-Colonel Harold Brassey, second in command:- ‘France, May 27th. Dear Mr Brewitt, - A line to tell you how well your son did with us last week. I was not actually in the attack myself, but the Colonel and other officers speak very highly of him, and he has been recommended for gallant service. I hope he may be soon well from his wounds. – Yours very truly, Harold Brassey.