Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Isaac Brewin, a groom, born 1847 in Nether Broughton, Leicestershire and his wife Jane Brewin (nee Veasey, married on the 30th September 1869 in Melton Mowbray, Parish Church, Leicestershire), born 1848 in Whissendine, Rutland. Albert’s mother died in December 1877, aged 30, the burial being registered on the 13th December 1877 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Albert was born in the 1st quarter of 1876 in Melton Mowbray and was baptised on the 14th May 1876 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, his siblings were, Eugenia, a schoolgirl, born 1870 and baptised on the 10th January 1871 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, Ernest Edward, a schoolboy, born 1872 and baptised on the 29th September 1872 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church and Henrietta, a schoolgirl, born 1874 and baptised on the 23rd August 1874 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in April 1881 the family home was at Leicester Street, Melton Mowbray. In April 1891 Albert was employed as a shoe maker’s boy and was residing in the family home in Generous Briton Yard, King Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a groom and his step mother Mary Ann Brewin (nee Whitfield, married on the 13th June 1888 in Scalford, Parish Church, Leicestershire), born 1861 in Wycomb, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Albert was absent from the family home at 9, Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his father, a domestic groom and his step mother. In April 1911 Albert was employed as an iron works labourer and was residing as a lodger at 5, Soho, Melton Mowbray, his wife Melina Brewin (nee Golsby, married in the 4th quarter of 1904 in the Melton Mowbray district) was employed as a chain maker, she was born in 1882 in Dallington, Northamptonshire and was residing as a housekeeper at 118, Chandos Street, Coventry, Warwickshire. In the 4th quarter of 1916 Albert’s widow Melina, married John Walker in the Coventry, Warwickshire district, John was born in 1883 in Ludlow, Shropshire, they resided at 166, Leicester Causeway, Coventry, Warwickshire.
Albert alias Alfred’s service records show that he enlisted into the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 24th August 1914, giving his age as 33 years and 327 days, and his trade or calling as plumber. Information taken from his medical examination shows that he was 5 foot 6½ inches in height, weighed 143 pounds and had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 37 inches. His service record shows that he died of wounds in the field and was buried in the Cimitiere du Bois, Heilly by the officer commanding the 36th Casualty Clearing Station, the location being given as 2½ miles north, north east of Corbie, France. The medal roll shows that Albert entered the theatre of war in France on the 29th July 1915 and was killed in action on the 19th July 1916, he was awarded the 1915 Star, British War and Victory Medals.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 - 3.00am. Dispositions as follows, Battalion Headquarters same place as above, “D” Company in 2 lines of 2 platoons with its right on the railway 200 yards in front of north edge of wood. “C” Company moved up to the north edge, “B” Company supporting 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT lying in the north east corner of the wood, “A” Company supported the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT lying out in the open on the eastern side of the wood. Battalion raiders and “D” Company bombers were lying out in front of “D” Company 1st wave. During our intense bombardment from 3.00am, enemy subjected the north edge of the wood and the wood itself to very heavy bombardment and machine gun fire. 3.25am “D” Company advanced preceded by the raiders and bombers to their objective which was about 100 yards of VILLA TRENCH to the left of the railway LEFT TRENCH and ASTON TRENCH. During intense bombardment they crept up as close as possible. In the actual attack this Company suffered considerably from hostile machine gun fire, not a single officer reaching VILLA TRENCH. The Company was led by its N.C.O.’s. Very little opposition was encountered once VILLA TRENCH was reached, dug outs were immediately bombed and the Lewis guns which followed up closely took up a position in VILLA TRENCH and caused a considerable number of casualties amongst the retreating enemy. Although the majority of the raiders had been knocked out, the remainder did excellent work in bombing towards the left flank and blocking VILLA and ASTON TRENCHES. “D” Company consolidated these trenches as quickly as possible. At 4.25am “C” Company and 1st waves of “A” and “B” Companies advanced over the 450 yards of no man’s land and arrived at BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD, “C” Company going up the west side of the wood as far as FOREST TRENCH support, eventually advancing with 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT as far as the north edge of the wood on the way bombing two enemy dug outs in the wood. This Company’s final position was from ASTON TRENCH to within about 100 yards of North West corner of wood. “B” Company and “A” Company on arrival at the wood pushed forward in support of 7th and 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT the whole three advancing to the north edge of the wood and BAZENTIN LE PETIT village. The enemy put up a strong resistance in FOREST TRENCH but withdrew to the outskirts of the village and the extreme north east corner of the wood, the time was about 8.00am. During the advance over no man’s land a number of casualties received due to enemy machine gun situated in the middle of the wood on platforms up large trees. About 5.00am Commanding Officer and Adjutant came over to South West corner of wood where Battalion Headquarters was established. 5.25am last wave of “A” and “B” Companies came over and passed right through the wood to the North edge. 5.00am. Enemy counter attacked up ASTON and VILLA TRENCHES with bombs and rifle grenades, “C” Company under 2nd Lieutenant ALEXANDER formed bombing parties and drove them back, the latter and the Colonel losing their lives about this time. The left flank was continually rifle grenaded till about 2.30pm. 10.00am. Enemy counter attacked the North edge of the wood but were repulsed by rifle and Lewis gun fire after 3 hours of fighting. About this time 50 men were sent up from FOREST TRENCH where they were consolidating to support “C” Company’s right. Every effort was now made to consolidate positions gained. From 3.00 to 4.15pm enemy bombarded BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD and no man’s land very heavily, using tear shells, when the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT came up with reinforcements. Night of 14th/15th. North edge of wood was much troubled by a party of enemy entrenched outside, who caused several casualties with rifle grenades and sniping. This party was eventually driven out by stokes gun on night of 16th/17th instant.
The War Diary records: 15 Jul-16 - 6.00am. Battalion had orders to withdraw to a spot in rear of MAMETZ WOOD together with the 7th and 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. On its arrival it was ordered to resume its positions in BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD as soon as possible, which it did. Nothing of importance happened after this till the Battalion was relieved except continual sniping from the enemy. Rations and water and small arms ammunition came up each evening and were successfully distributed except in the case of an isolated party of “B” Company in BAZENTIN village on evening of 14th.
The War Diary records:17 Jul-16 - 6.00am. The Battalion was eventually relieved by the DURHAM LIGHT INFANTRY on the morning of the 17th instant at about 6.00am. The Battalion then marched back by Companies to F.4.b where the transport had been brought up, hot tea was given the men on arrival and breakfast at about 9.00am. 6.00pm. The Brigade moved to RIBEMONT a distance of about 8 miles via TREUX, DERNACOURT, FRICOURT. The Brigade was billeted at RIBEMONT very tightly packed in.
The War Diary records: 18 Jul-16 - Redistribution of billets, 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT to MERICOURT during the afternoon and took over new billets.
On Friday August 11th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTONIAN DIES OF WOUNDS. – We are sorry to learn that Pte. Albert Brewin, of the Leicester’s, son of Isaac Brewin, Nottingham-street, Melton Mowbray, has died of wounds. The news that he had been injured was first conveyed to Mrs. Brewin in a letter which she received from Pte. W. Worsley, 64th Field Ambulance, in which he said: - “No doubt you will be surprised to get this letter from me, as I am a complete stranger. We rescued your son out of a dug-out where a shell had burst and killed five others, so I decided to write and let you know. Will you please write back and let us know how and where he is. I belong to the R.A.M.C, and wish him a speedy recovery.” Later the following official communication was received: - “Infantry Record Office, Lichfield, Madam, - It is my very painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death from wounds received in action of Pte. Albert Brewin, of the Leicester’s, at a place not stated, on the 19th July, and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. I am, madam, your obedient servant, T. L. Angel, captain.” Enclosed with it was a note from Mr. Lloyd George, expressing the sympathy of the King and Queen. Deceased who was 40 years of age, was employed at the Holwell Iron Furnaces. As a youth he enlisted in the Leicestershire Regt. He had been out with them in South Africa three or four years when the Boer War broke out and served through that campaign without receiving a scratch, although in Ladysmith throughout the siege of that place. When Colonel the Hon. W. A. W. Lawson organised the local company of National Reserves, he at once joined, and immediately volunteered to go with his old regiment when the present war was declared.
FOOTNOTE: Albert was officially recorded at birth with the one Christian name of Albert, but at various times in his life he added the second Christian name of Edward, additionally he served as Alfred Brewin, and is recorded as having the alias of Albert Brewin.