Lieutenant Cyril Huleatt Brew was born in 1894 in Chew Magna, Somerset, the second of the three children of Richard Hugh Brew (1863-1917) and Dora Vere Brew née Cornwell (1864-1928). His birth was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1894 in the Clutton registration district and his father was a surgeon.
On 22 July 1894 he was baptised at St Andrew's Church, Chew Magna, Somerset and in the 1901 census he is shown as living at 10 High Street, Chew Magna, with his parents, his brother, Richard Vere Brew (1893-1963), a governess, a cook and a housemaid.
Whilst at the time of the 1911 census his parents, his brother and his sister, Barbara Gascoyen Brew (1906-1983), were living at 'The Hollies', Chew Magna, he was recorded as an inmate pupil at St Andrew's College, Bradfield, Reading, Berkshire. He also attended University College, London, where he was a member of their Officers' Training Corps.
When World War One was declared he served initially as a Corporal in the Royal Fusiliers, but The London Gazette dated 11 December 1914 confirmed that he had been commissioned as a Temporary Second Lieutenant with effect from 7 December 1914. He became a Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards and was wounded while leading his men at Flers, Somme, France, on 15 September 1916. He died, aged 22 years, in hospital at Rouen, France on 12 October 1916 and was buried in The Officers Plot A, Row 12, Grave 1 at St. Sever's Cemetery, Rouen. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website shows incorrectly both his name as Cyril Hulcatt Brew and his age as 23 years.
On 11 April 1917 his army effects totalling £86-16s-4d were sent to his father and on 25 June 1920 his £6-0s-0d war gratuity was sent jointly to his mother and Brightrie Gofton Hutton Gee (1863-1949). He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal. He is also commemorated on a plaque within St Andrew's Church, Chew Magna.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
