Private Charlie Brewer

Thank you to the Friends of St. Margaret for allowing us to reproduce their research and thank you to Lenka Cathersides for further research.

Charlie Brewer was born on 24^th October 1890 in Itchingfield, Sussex to labourer Harfield and Fanny (nee May).

Charlie’s father Harfield was born in the 3^rd quarter of 1853 in Capel, Surrey to agricultural labourer John, born about 1824 in Capel and Sarah, born about 1828 in Wotton, Surrey. His mother Fanny was born on the 8^th of January 1853 to agricultural labourer Michael, born about 1815 and Jane, born about 1817, all in Abinger, Surrey. Fanny was baptised on the 3^rd of April 1853 at St James’, Abinger. Harfield married Fanny, on the 8^th of July 1873 at St Paul’s Dorking. At the time of the marriage Harfield was working as a labourer. The couple lived in Dorking.

Charlie had eight known siblings: Ellen Jane born about 1875 in Dorking; Sarah Jane born about 1878 and Alice E born about 1881, both in Abinger; Frederick J. born about 1884; Ernest H. born about 1886 and Arthur E. born about 1889, all in Ockley; George Harold born about 1894 and Wilfred Henry born about 1897, both in Itchingfield, Sussex.

At the time of the 1881 Census, the family lived at Stilehurst Cottage, Ockley. Harfield was working as a cowman and Fanny was looking after their daughters: Ellen, Sarah and Alice.

At the time of the 1891 Census, the family lived at Toat Hill, Itchingfield. Harfield was working as an agricultural labourer and Fanny was at home looking after their children: Sarah, Alice, Frederick, Ernest, Arthur and Charlie.

Charlie was admitted to Itchingfield County Primary School on the 8^th of July 1895. Later, he was educated at Oxley Parochial School

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Bear Brickyard, Ockley. Harfield was working as a stockman on a farm and Fanny was at home. The household further comprised of their children: stockman Frederick, carter Arthur, Charlie, George and Wilfred.

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at Park Cottage, Beare Green. Harfield was working as a stockman and Fanny was at home. The household further comprised of their children: carter Charlie, servant George Harold and carter lad Wilfred. Fanny stated that she had given birth to thirteen children of whom nine were still alive.

Charlie Brewer enlisted into the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment in January 1915 in Guildford. He was a Private with regimental number G/4069. Prior to his enlistment Pte Brewer lived in Dorking and was employed on Sir A. Hargreaves Brown’s Estate.

On the 12^th of May 1915 Pte Brewer disembarked in France.

At the time of his death he was part of the 1^st Battalion Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment.

Charlie Brewer was wounded in action on 12^th October 1915 near the Hohenzollern Redoubt in France. He died the following day on 13^th October 1915 in hospital at Bethune, France.

He is buried at the Bethune Town Cemetery, France. His cemetery reference number is: IV.F.8. The headstone bears the inscription: ‘Gone But Not Forgotten God Be With You Till We Meet Again’. He is also commemorated on the St Margaret’s WW1 panel in Ockley.

Charlie Brewer received the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.

Charlie’s mother Fanny received £4, 19s and 9d on 10^th January 1916 and a further £3 on 20^th July 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.

Born		Itchingfield, Sussex
Lived		Ockley, Dorking, Surrey
Son of		Harfield and Fanny Brewer
Regiment		1st Battalion. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment
Number		G/4069
Date of Death		13th October 1915
Place of Death		France
Cause of Death		Died of wounds
Age		25
Cemetery		Bethune Town Cemetery, Pas de Calais. IV. F. 8.