John Brewis (1883-1915)
Tanfield bricklayer served as an acting corporal in the Durham Light Infantry
John Brewis was born in Tanfield Lea in 1883. His father was blacksmith William Brewis who was born in Tanfield in 1853. His mother was Margaret Ann Brewis nee Robson (b 1854), a winding engine-man’s daughter from Sunderland. John’s parents married around 1873 and had four children giving John two sisters and one brother. In 1891 the Brewis family lived at 12 John Street, Tanfield Lea. By 1901 they had moved to 2 Shop Square, Tanfield Lea, and John was working as a colliery lamp-keeper.
Around 1907 John married Mary Shield who was born in Beamish in 1882. At the time of the 1911 census the couple had been married for four years, had no children and lived at 12 Fairford Terrace, Oxhill. John was working as a bricklayer at this time. He attested in the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) and initially served as a private, before being promoted to acting corporal. John served in the 1st/8th Battalion DLI, beginning his service in France on 19 April 1915. He died of wounds received in action in the Royal Infirmary, Sunderland on 20 June 1915. He was buried in New Cemetery, Stanley in grave 9 C 397.
John Brewis was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.
Civil Parish: Stanley
Birth date: 1883
Death date: 20-Jun-1915
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 12 John Street, Tanfield Lea (1891 census)
2 Shop Square, Tanfield Lea (1901 census)
12 Fairford Terrace, Oxhill (1911 census)
Employment: Colliery Lamp-keeper (1901 Census)
Bricklayer (1911 Census)
Family: Parents: William Brewis (b 1853), Margaret Ann Brewis nee Robson (b 1854)
Siblings: Sarah Jane Brewis (b 1875), William R Brewis (b 1879), Norah Isabella Brewis (b 1890)
Spouse: Mary Brewis nee Shield
Military service:
2690
Private
Acting corporal
Durham Light Infantry
1st/8th Battalion
Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): New Cemetery, Stanley (grave 7 C 208)
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, St Andrew’s Church, Stanley
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, D.L.I, Durham Cathedral
Gender: Male
Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham
