Description
Queen’s South Africa, 2 bars, Natal, Belfast, KSA, 2 bars, 1715 Private Walter Brewer, 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
QSA officially impressed: “1715 Pte W. Brewer 1st Rl Innis: Fus:”
KSA officially impressed: “1715 Pte W. Brewer Innis: Fus:”
Little wear due to his early death in 1906, toned and with very old silk ribbons sewn together.
Entitlement confirmed on the roll as issued, the QSA issued with Natal & Belfast, he later earned an Orange Free State clasp on a supplementary roll compiled in mid 1903, which was sent loose later, but he was in Gibraltar at the time and didn’t get home until 1905, and died soon after.
Mr Walter Brewer, was born in Bow, Strand, Middlesex circa 1866.
At 19, he presented himself at Omagh, in now, Northern Ireland, on 5th December 1885 to sign up for service with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
He saw the following service:
INNISKILLING FUSILIERS
Home, 1st December 1885 – 11th March 1886
Malta, 12th March 1886 – 14th May 1886
Home, 15th May 1888 – 11th Dec 1888
East Indies, 12th Dec 1888 – 5th November 1893 (With 2nd Battalion R Innisk Fus)
Home, 6th Nov 1893 – 28th Feb 1900
South Africa, 1st March 1900 – 12th July 1902 (Mobilised from reserves for War Service)
Home, 13th July 1902 – 14th July 1902.
ROYAL GARRISON REGIMENT
October 1902 – 31st July 1905, discharged on reduction of the R.G.R.
Home, 7th October 1902 – 17th Nov 1902
Gibraltar, 18th Nov 1902 – 10th Apr 1904
South Africa, 11th April 1904 – 4th August 1905
Home, 5th August 1905 – 10th August 1905.
3rd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Militia
25th September 1905 – 25th August 1906, discharged as dead.
He had done his service time with the “Colours” and was a serving member of the Militia when he received his call up to return to active service on 1st December 1899.
He was then posted for active service in South Africa with the 1st Battalion.
After the war was over, he returned back and was discharged on completion of his duty, he then a few months was not finished with the Army so he rejoined, joining the Royal Garrison Regiment on 7th October 1902.
The Royal Garrison Regiment, was a short lived Army Regiment formed during the Boer War in 1901, comprised of Veteran Soldiers to allow them to serve particularly during the Garrison shortages as many regiments had sent men out to South Africa.
He saw a further 2-3 years of service with the R.G.R. only being discharged on 31st July 1905: “In consequence of the reduction of the Royal Garrison Regiment vide WO Letter 11th Jany 1905 as amended by WO Cable of 16th July 1905 with a Bounty of £31.”
The R.G.R. was mostly disbanded around 1905-07, being completely disbanded in 1908.
Once again, he was not done with his association with the Military.
He again signed up, returning to the 3rd Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, part of the Reserve Militia on 25th September 1905.
He however, died suddenly and was discharged as deceased on 25th August 1906.
