One of the talks that I am currently giving concerns the 6th Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment and their service in Gallipoli in 1915. Kay Taylor attended one of my recent talks and gave me the following newspaper articles and transcripts of family letters regarding the death of her ancestor, Arthur Brewitt whilst serving with 6th Lincolns. They tell a remarkable story.
LINCOLNSHIRE CHRONICLE. SAT. 4th SEPT. 1915. LINCOLN SOLDIER KILLED.
SERGEANT.— MAJOR A. BREWITT SHOT THROUGH THE HEAD.
The many friends of Mrs. A. Brewitt, of 45, Victoria Street, Lincoln will learn with deep regret that her husband, Sergt.-Major Arthur Brewitt, has fallen on the field of battle. The first intimation of her sad loss was conveyed to Mrs. Brewitt by the Government notification form, which she received on Thursday. Mrs. Brewitt’s mother, however was informed of his fate in a letter dated August 16th, from her son, John Bradford, who wrote;-
“Just a few lines to you, hoping they will find you well, as it leaves me middling. I don’t know whether you have heard the news or not, but I am sorry to say it is very bad. Arthur was shot through the head and died at once. I did not see him at all as I was wounded in the thigh, but not very badly. It was a lucky hit as it did not hit me fair, but glanced off. Capt. Browne was killed, and I don’t think there are many of our regiment left, as we were shot down like dogs. There was only three of us got clear [two wounded] out of 30, so you can guess what it was like. But I think we shall be alright within a month. It is a long way from where we are to the front, as it took us four or five days to get there; but the town itself is very fine. Remember me to Lizzie [deceased’s wife], and tell her to cheer up, she still has the kiddies. God bless them. Don’t let this letter trouble you, mother, as I am in the best of health. We can get pomegranates here for halfpenny each – beauties; grapes penny per bunch, so you can see we are alright. You know that lady on Motherby Lane, whose son was with me. He was killed, and the lad who came to sleep with me was wounded. I will now close, with fondest love, from your loving son. Jack”.
John [Jack] Bradford, the writer of the letter is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Bradford of 11Victoria Terrace, Lincoln, and brother-in-law to the deceased.
Sergt.-Major Arthur Brewitt was only 31 years of age, and had served eight years in the army. He was on the reserve when war broke out, and consequently was called up. He originally belonged to the 2nd Lincolns, but was transferred to the 6th Lincolns as instructor. He was stationed at Grantham and Frensham respectively, and early in July went with the regiment to the Dardanelles. When called up he was working at Messrs. Ruston, Proctor and Co.
Writing to his wife shortly before his death, Sergt.-Major Brewitt said he thought the Lincoln people ought to wake a collection for cigarettes and send them out to the soldiers in the Dardanelles. When in England he read in the papers how nobly the people responded to the call of the soldiers for cigarettes, but none would appreciate cigarettes more than the boys fighting the Turks, and the least the people of Lincoln could do would be to supply the cigarettes for the men of the 6th Lincolns. Only that day, he himself paid a shilling for a packet of cigarettes – Woodbines. The deepest sympathy will be felt with the bereaved wife, who is now left with three children, all of whom are under four years of age.
LINCOLN LEADER. SAT.4th SEPT. 1915.
SERGT—MAJOR BREWITT. NEWS OF HIS DEATH CONFIRMED. RUMOUR FIRST CONTRADICTED BY WAR OFFICE.
AN UNLUCKY MISCHANCE.
This week Mrs. Brewitt heard officially that the report of Sergt.-Major Arthur Brewitt, of the 6th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, being killed in action at the Dardanelles, was entirely incorrect. When our representative called on Tuesday, Mrs. Brewitt, who resides at 45, Victoria Street, had just received official news from Lichfield, denying a strong report concerning his death. She was, of course, overjoyed at this news, but we regret to say she has since received further intimation that the report is unhappily correct. Born in Lincoln some 31 years ago, Sergt. -Major Brewitt entered the Army as a bugler before he was 18 years old and previous to the present war completed eight years-service, including two years in South Africa at the conclusion of that campaign. After six months he was made a corporal, and when he left the Army he was sergeant. During the five years that he was on the reserve he was engaged at the engineering works of Messrs. Ruston, Proctor and Co. and on the 5th August last year he was again called up and sent to Belton Park, near Grantham, as an instructor. After hard training there and at Frensham, he was sent with the Battalion to the Dardanelles on the 1st July. He wrote the following letter to his parents soon after they had landed in Gallipoli;-
“July 13th, 1915.
Just a few lines to let you know that I have arrived safe and sound at my destination. I expect by the time you get this letter we shall have had our first brush with the enemy, and you can count on me doing my bit, because I can assure you that I shall fight like the very devil. We are all in excellent health and spirits and all eager for the fray. I think the lads will give a good account of themselves when they go into action. I hope I shall live to see you all again, but if I don’t you will know that I have gone under fighting for a just cause. I am not afraid and am ready, come what may. You need not worry, because I am quite happy. You know it was always my ambition to be a soldier and I have never regretted it yet, and I shan’t do. My chief worry is about my wife and three little kiddies, God bless them and protect them. But still I am contented; somebody has to fight, for it wouldn’t do to let the Germans get into England. It is very hot here and I shall soon be a grease spot if I stop here long. Arthur.”
On Friday, Aug. 27th, Mrs. Bradford, his wife’s mother, received a letter from her son, who was in the same battalion, and this was the only news she had received telling her of her husbands death. Dated Cairo Hospital, Monday, 16th July, he says;-
“Just a few lines to you hoping they will find you well as it leaves me middling. I don’t know whether you have heard the news or not, but I am sorry to say it is very bad. Arthur was shot through the head and he died at once. I did not see him at all as I was wounded in the thigh but not very bad. It was a lucky hit as it did not hit me fair, but glanced off. I do hope Arthur’s wife does not read this letter if she has heard nothing as it will be a big shock for her. Capt. Brown was killed, and I don’t expect there are many of the regiment left, as we were shot down like dogs. There were only three of us got clear [two wounded] out of 30, so you can guess what it was like, but I think I shall be alright within a month. It is a long way to where we are here from the front, and it took us four or five days coming. The town itself is very fine. Do not let this letter trouble you, as I am in the best
– 2 –
of health, and in no trouble, as we can get pomegranates here for 1/2d. apiece, and beautiful grapes Id. a bunch, so you can see we are alright. Jack.”
Mrs.Brewitt immediately wrote to Lichfield, and on Tuesday morning they denied the report. But on Thursday the official notice came from the War Office, stating that he was killed in action on the 9th August. The following is an extract from one of Sergt.-Major Brewitt’s letters sent from Gallipoli on August 6th. It will be seen that there is a great need for cigarettes and tobacco, and perhaps the appeal will not be in vain. He says;-
“When I was in England I read in the papers how nobly people responded to the call of the soldiers for cigarettes. But there is no boys who would appreciate cigarettes more than the boys that are fighting the Turks. I do not ask for myself, it is for the boys of the regiment, and I myself paid 1s. last week. Do not worry about me, no news is good news. I have been in the trenches eleven days and eleven nights, and have come through so far. Perhaps you will laugh when you read this letter, but I have had 14s. in my pocket since I came, but there are no shops so we cannot spend it. The water here is quite warm and I should like a real good cold drink. “
We extend our sincerest sympathy to Mrs. Brewitt in her loss and the cruel experience of suspense which she had had to undergo. He leaves three children, all under the age of five years, for whom much sympathy will be felt.
The other photograph is that of signaller John Bradford, whose home is at No.11 Victoria Terrace, and he is the only son of Mrs. John Bradford. After receiving his education at St. Faith’s School he entered the services of the Star Lubricating Company, where he was engaged five years. He was a member of the Newland Boy Scouts for several years. He enlisted nearly a year ago in the 6th Lincoln’s, and also went to the Dardanelles on 1st July. He was wounded on July 16th, and as will be seen from the letter sent to his mother he is “middling”. We wish him the best of luck and a speedy recovery.
My thanks to Kay Taylor for these newspaper transcripts.