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. James Leonard was born in 1895 in Great Dalby, Leics., his siblings were Thomas Warren, born 1892 and George Francis, born 1893, the latter two siblings were both born in Great Dalby, Leics., Owen Reginald, born 1896, Janet Mary, born 1898 and Frederick Harold, born 1899, the latter three siblings were all born in Melton Mowbray, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at 12, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics. In April 1911 James was a pupil boarder at the Kings School, Grantham, Lincs. His brother Owen died in 1926 in Spilsby, Lincs.
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 December 7th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LIEUT. J. L. BREWITT KILLED. – We deeply regret to learn that Lieut. James Leonard Brewitt, Staffordshire Yeomanry, third son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Brewitt, The Priory, Melton Mowbray, has died of wounds in Palestine. On Monday Mr. Brewitt received the following telegram: “Regret to inform you Lieut. J. L. Brewitt, Stafford Yeomanry, wounded Nov. 25th, degree not stated any further information will be notified as soon as received, - Cavalry Records, York.” This was followed on Wednesday night by another telegram worded as under “Regret to inform you Lieut. J. L. Brewitt, Stafford Yeomanry, died of wounds 1st December. Secretary of State for War expresses his sympathy. – Cavalry Records, York.” A few weeks ago Mr. Brewitt received a letter from deceased’s officer, Major B. Hardy, in which he said: “I meant to have written to you before to tell you how well both your sons are getting on. Leonard has had a good deal of responsibility at Longmoor, as he has been more or less in charge of the men there, and has done very well indeed. The younger one also seems likely to make a good officer. I know he did very well before in France, and I feel sure he will do equally well again if he has the chance.” Deceased who was 22 years of age has spent three years in Australia, going out with Mr. Percy Roberts on a sheep farm. He arrived back in England on Easter Monday, 1915, and at once joined the Staffordshire Yeomanry. He had been in Palestine nearly two years. Three of his brothers are in the colours, Lieut. George Francis Brewitt, being in the Leicestershire Yeomanry, Reginald Brewitt (who was awarded the French Military Medal as a trooper in France, and was wounded there) was in Palestine with his brother and Cadet Frederick Harold Brewitt is in the Flying Corps. The deepest sympathy will be extended to Mr. and Mrs Brewitt and the members of the family in their sad loss.