Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Brewster a domestic gardener, born 1843 in Lyddington, Rutland and his wife Ann Brewster (nee Bent, married on the 17th October 1866 in Lyddington Parish Church, Rutland), born 1842 in Hornigold, Leicestershire. Frederick was born in the 1st quarter of 1884 in Uppingham, Rutland, his siblings were Agnes Ann, born 1876 and baptised on the 30th May 1878 in Lyddington Parish Church, William Herbert James, born 1878 and baptised on the 30th May 1878 in Lyddington Parish Church and Walter E., born 1880 and baptised on the 18th April 1880 in Lyddington Parish Church, all his siblings were born in Lyddington, in April 1891 the family home was at Meeting Lane, Uppingham. In March 1901 Frederick was absent from the family home in Beast Hill, Uppingham, residing there was his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, Agnes and Walter, a carpenter, Frederick was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing as a servant at The Rectory, Front Street, Stoke Dry, Rutland. In April 1911 Frederick was employed as a bricklayer and was residing in the family home at South View, Uppingham, together with his father, a jobbing gardener, his mother and siblings, William, a grocery shop assistant and Walter, a carpenter. Frederick had the following older siblings, Mary Ann, born 1868 and baptised on the 6th September 1868 in Lyddington Parish Church, John Thomas, born 1870, Alfred Arthur, born 1871 and baptised on the 20th August 1871 in Lyddington Parish Church, Alice, born 1873, Matthew, born 1875 and baptised on the 3rd July 1875 in Lyddington Parish Church, and a half blood sibling, George Bent, born 1859 in Uppingham and baptised on the 26th June 1859 in Lyddington Parish Church.
Frederick attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 11th December 1915 in Uppingham. He gave his present home address as South View, Uppingham, Rutland, his age as 31 years and 311 days and his trade or calling as bricklayer. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Thomas Brewster of South View, Uppingham as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height, weighed 138 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 36 inches. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. After attestation on the 11/12/15 in Uppingham he was transferred as Private, service number 26901 to the Army Reserve. Mobilized on the 31/3/16. Posted to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot on the 31/3/16 Posted to the 12th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 31/3/16. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 28/8/16. Joined 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 30/8/16. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 30/8/16. Joined the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 21/9/16. Admitted to the 18th Field Ambulance, in the field, suffering from German measles on the 7/3/17. Admitted to the 7th General Hospital on the 7/3/17. Posted to 4th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 19/3/17. Rejoined 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment for duty on the 26/3/17. Granted leave to 16/11/17. Missing in action on the 22/3/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 31/3/16 – 27/8/16, 150 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 28/8/16 – 22/3/18. 1 year 209 days. Total service 1 year 359 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Frederick’s father Thomas Brewster on the 21st November 1919, and was witnessed and signed by E. F. Read, Clerk in Holy Orders, 19, College Road, Brighton on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Thomas Brewster, age 76 of 22, College Gardens, Brighton. Mother of soldier, Ann Brewster (dead) aged 77. Full blood brothers of soldier, Thomas Brewster, age 48 of 20, Market Street, Colne, Lancs. Alfred Brewster, age 46 of 217, Acton Lane, Chiswick. Full blood sisters of soldier, Mary Ann Hill, age 50 of 10, Charles Street, Brighton. Agnes Burdon, age 40 of 22, College Gardens, Brighton. Nephews and Nieces of soldier, only small children. Uncles and Aunts of soldier, Mary Ann Brewster, age 69 (a cripple), of Stoke Road, Lyddington, Rutland. Frederick’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 22 Mar-18 - The Battalion were in the VAULX - MORCHIES line. The night passed fairly quietly. The morning of the 22nd March dawned with a heavy fog and as soon as it was light the enemy put down a very heavy barrage on the VAULX - MORCHIES line and VAULX. During the night in order to concentrate the Battalion, “B” Company had been ordered to side step to the right and get into touch with “D” Company replacing 1 Company of the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. Advice received during the morning that this was not effected. The Officer Commanding the SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT refusing to move, as he had had no orders. At 8.30 am orders were received from Brigade for Battalion Headquarters to move to dug outs east of MARICOURT WOOD, the Commanding Officer, Adjutant and four Orderlies moved off at 9.00 am leaving the remainder to follow under Captain H. W. J. BROOKER. No dug outs could be found in the place to be occupied, so Battalion Headquarters was established at the CROSS ROADS I.4.d at 10.30 am sharing the same with the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT who had also moved. During the night of the 21st/22nd the 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT and the 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS withdrew from the VAULX - MORCHIES line to a position at I.10.0 central, their places being taken by 1 Company of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. At 11.00 am the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT reported that the enemy had broken through the VAULX - MORCHIES line between C.28.c. 85.15 and C.28.c 40.60. An officer of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT reported a few minutes later that the breach extended from C.28.d. 2.2 to C.27.b. 3.7 on a frontage held by 2 Companies of 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT, 1 Company of the 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and 1 Company 8th BORDER REGIMENT. A request was sent to the 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS and 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT to move up to cover valley from line SUNKEN ROAD I.4.c to I.3.d. Defensive flank for high ground east of VAULX WOOD regained by 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT and bombing parties sent forward to recover lost trenches. Reinforcements asked for, for left of Brigade front. At 11.40 am enemy reported massing in C.28.a.b.c.d. Officer Commanding “C” Company 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT reported that he had only 37 men left and that enemy were in VAULX WOOD. He was instructed to look after his left flank. 1 officer and 40 other ranks of 11th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT who had come from VAULX - MORCHIES line reported at Battalion Headquarters. At 2.00 pm “B” Company reported that they had gained some ground in bombing up the VAULX - MORCHIES line, and were continuing the bombing attack with the help of 1 officer and 60 other ranks of the 2nd SOUTH LANCASHIRE REGIMENT. MARICOURT WOOD and the vicinity of Battalion Headquarters were heavily shelled throughout the morning. At 2.30 pm heavy bombardment by both sides opened on the right of the Brigade front. At 3.15 pm enemy seen from Battalion Headquarters pouring into VAULX - MORCHIES line between LAGNICOURT – MARICOURT WOOD ROAD and VAULX WOOD. At 3.45 pm the breach this time was effective and the situation was becoming very grave. The withdrawal became somewhat disorderly and the enemy came rapidly through C.28 to I.4., C.29.d and MORCHIES. A Ridge in I.10.a and c was held by our Machine gunners, and troops withdrawing were collected and an orderly withdrawal instituted to the partially consolidated line in I.10 central. Up to this time only 1 man (wounded, belonging to “B” Company) of the Battalion had come back from the VAULX - MORCHIES line. At 4.30 pm the enemy brought up his light machine guns with great rapidity and was soon putting up a strong barrage with them along the valley in I.10 central and the ridges east and west of it. This valley and the heights were thickly held by troops of 25th Division. An immediate counter attack was urgently required if the VAULX - MORCHIES line was to be regained, but all the troops holding the new line had orders that they were on no account to move forward. The line ran through C.11.c, I.10.d, I.10.c and I.9.d. Eventually a number of Tanks (about 16) in the visible front came forward and under very heavy shell and Machine Gun fire advanced as far as the VAULX - MORCHIES line with most of the enemy retiring before them. This Tank attack was not supported by infantry and gradually petered out as the Tanks became casualties or used up all their ammunition. At 9.00 pm the remnants of the 3 Battalions of the Brigade were:- 1st LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT about 40 all ranks under Lieutenant Colonel F. LATHAM, D.S.O. 9th NORFOLK REGIMENT about 80 all ranks under Lieutenant C. P. BASSENTHWAITE. 2nd SHERWOOD FORESTERS about 40 all ranks under Captain GILES were disposed in sections of trench in valley in I.10.c with Battle Headquarters at I.10.d.10.90. The night passed quietly. Casualties, other ranks “A” Company 6 killed, 14 wounded, 46 missing, “B” Company 3 killed, 14 wounded, 83 missing, “C” Company 6 killed, 21 wounded, 49 missing, “D” Company 1 killed, 12 wounded, 113 missing. Officer casualties Lieutenant Acting Captain F. E. SHELTON killed, 2nd Lieutenant G. MANSFIELD wounded and missing, Lieutenant Acting Captain J.H. JOHN missing, Lieutenant B. C. LAWRENCE missing, 2nd Lieutenant O. C. HARPER missing, 2nd Lieutenant A. H. BAGSHAW missing, 2nd Lieutenant A. C. ANSELL missing, 2nd Lieutenant M. MILLS missing, Lieutenant Acting Captain S. T. HARTSHORNE wounded remained at duty, Captain F. TAYLOR (U.S.M.S.) wounded remained at duty.
On Friday May 3rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “UPPINGHAM.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Pte. Fredk. Brewster (30), Leicester’s, is posted as missing since March 23rd. He was the youngest of ten children of Mr. and Mrs. Brewster, South View, Uppingham, and was employed as a mason with Mr. A. Dalby before joining the army. – Pte. C. Ellingworth, Australians, whose parents reside at Hope’s Yard, Uppingham, was killed in action on April 5th. – Lance Corpl. Snodin, Leicester’s, has been wounded for the second time. – Pte. A. Sharp, Grenadier Guards, wounded by gunshot in the forehead, is in hospital at Chatham.