Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Brewin a cordwainer, born 1872 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and his wife Alice Elizabeth Brewin (nee Woodford, married on the 29th September 1890 in the Parish Church, Harby, Leicestershire), born 1872 in Langar, Nottinghamshire. Albert was born in the 2nd quarter of 1894 in Melton Mowbray and was baptised on the 3rd June 1894 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, his siblings were Gertrude, born 1892 and baptised on the 20th March 1892 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, twins Pearl, born 1897 and baptised on the 1st October 1897 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church and Hilda, born 1897 and baptised on the 1st October 1897 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church and Frances, born 1899, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 12, Wyvern Terrace, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Albert was employed as a book binder’s apprentice and was residing in the family home at 13, Norman Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a boot and shoe maker, his mother and siblings, Gertrude, a stationary shop assistant, Frances, a schoolgirl, Hilda, a schoolgirl, Walter, born 1902 and baptised on the 10th April 1904 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church, Edith May, born 1904, and baptised on the 10th April 1904 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church Agnes, born 1906 and Ida, born 1909, the latter four siblings were all born in Melton Mowbray.
Albert enlisted into the Territorial Force on the 16th November, 1914 in Melton Mowbray, and was allocated the service number 3297. He gave his age as 20 years 8 months.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 7 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches, his physical development was described as good, he gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his mother. Mrs. Brewin, 31, Westbourne St., Leicester. Father. Frederick Brewin, 13, Norman Rd., Melton Mowbray
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Posted. 5th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/11/14.
Embodied Service. 5th Res. Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 16/11/14.
Posted. 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 4/9/16.
Embarked. 4/9/16.
Disembarked. 4/9/16.
Posted. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 19/9/16.
Allotted. New Regimental Number 40697 under A.O.204 and A.C.I.1499 of 1916. 19/9/16.
Joined. 1st Bn. Leicestershire Regt. In the Field. 30/9/16.
Transferred. To 6th Divisional Scout Corps. 11/1/17.
Killed in Action. In the Field. 12/2/17.
Summary of Service:
Home Service. 16/11/14 – 3/9/16.
France. 4/9/16 - 12/2/17.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Albert’s surviving service record amounts to a total of eleven pages, and these are in very poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 12 Feb-17 - The Battalion relieved the 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS and Support Company of the 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT in the front line and at 3.15pm Battalion Operational Order 17/1 was issued. At 11.00pm all parties were in position in accordance with the Battalion Operational Order, scheme carried out – no casualties and very feeble -?- -?- quiet by midnight. Thaw commenced slowly, trenches not fallen in yet. Casualties other ranks, “A” Company 2 wounded, “C” Company 1 wounded and 1 killed, “D” Company 1 wounded and 1 killed.
On Friday March 2nd 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR”-MELTONIAN KILLED.- Trumpeter-Major Fred Brewin, 2/1 Leicestershire Yeomanry, and Mrs. Brewin of 31, Westbourne Street, Leicester, and formerly of Melton Mowbray, have been notified of the death of their elder son, Pte. Albert Brewin, who was killed in action on Feb. 12th. The news was conveyed in the following letter sent by his officer:- “Feb. 16th 1917. Dear Mrs. Brewin. It is with great regret that I write to tell you of the death of your son 40697 Pte. A. Brewin. He was killed last Monday night in the course of a raid on the German trenches. He was one of the first to get into the trenches, and shortly after a terrific explosion occurred, killing him. His body was brought back to our lines. I myself am an officer of the 9th Norfolk’s, and so my acquaintance with him was brief. It was long enough, however, for me to discover he was a thoroughly good soldier. Yours sincerely, M. W. C. Sprott, 2nd Lieut.” Deceased who would have been 23 years old had he lived until today, served his apprenticeship in Messrs. Towne & Co’s bookbinding department. He enlisted in the Leicestershire Territorial’s, and was with them through the Irish rebellion. Later he went out in a draft from Ireland, and was transferred to a battalion of Regulars.