Name
Alfred Ernest Brewer
1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/10/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
43029
Northamptonshire Regiment
6th Bn.
"A" Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
REGINA TRENCH CEMETERY, GRANDCOURT
I. A. 19.
France
Headstone Inscription
A GOOD NAME LIVETH
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted Town Memorial, St Peter’s Church Plaque, Berkhamsted
Pre War
Alfred Ernest Brewer was born in Berkhamsted in 1895, the son of John and Eliza Jane Brewer and one of six children, although one had died by 1911. He was baptised on 18 April 1895 at Great Berkhamsted.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at 9 Bridge Street, Berkhamsted where his father was working as a general labourer. They remained there in 1911 at which time Alfred was working for a chemical manufacturer (probably Coopers) as were his father and older brother William.
He gave his occupation as gardener at the time of enlistment.
Wartime Service
Alfred enlisted on 1 September 1914 at the age of 19 and was initially posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment being sent to France on 24 March 1915. He suffered gas poisoning on 8 May 1915 and was admitted to the 5th General Hospital. He was appointed Acting Lance Corporal on 15 May 1915, later being confirmed as Lance Corporal. The following month he suffered a gun shot wound to the back and was admitted to the No. 15 Field Ambulance Station, but it was a relatively minor wound as he was sent to a rest station to recover.
He was diagnosed with keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) at No. 14 Field Ambulance on 14 September 1915 and eventually sent back to hospital in Brighton, England for treatment on 25 September 1915. Following recovery he returned to France and was attached to the 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment from 17 July 1916, later being formally transferred to the Regiment from 1 September.
While serving, his father passed away on 22 July 1916 and a request was made by his mother by telegram for a short period of leave. Sadly the request was not granted.
He was promoted to Sergeant on 27 September 1916 and served with A Company, 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.
He died of wounds on 27 October 1916, aged 21, and is buried in Regina Trench Cemetery, Grandcourt, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a pension of 5 shillings a week. His pay owing was divided between his mother, brother William, sister in law Lily Brewer and the guardian of his nephew William, Mrs Alice Allen. A war gratuity of £12 was divided between his mother and Alice Allen (for his nephew William).
His mother, Mrs E J Brewer, 9 Bridge Street, Gt. Berkhamsted, Herts., ordered his headstone inscription: "A GOOD NAME LIVETH".
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jo Bayley
