 |
John George Brew, the third son and namesake of his father, was born on 14 December 1876, in Gateshead, Durham, England, but later moved to Ireland and married Ann (Annie) Moffat Clow, of Portadown, County Armagh, Northern Ireland, on 19 April 1905. Annie was the daughter of William Moffat Clow, a local businessman and councilor, and Eva Clow, nee Thompson. Witnesses to the wedding were John George's youngest brother, Leonard Septimus Brew, and Nellie S. Clow, probably Annie's younger sister. John George went to sea for the first time in 1893 as a fireman aboard the steamer S.S. Lumen, and went on to spend many years at sea, obtaining his 2nd Mate's, 1st Mate's and Master's Certificates of Competency. He was employed for several years by Belfast's Head Line shipping company, serving on their ships Rathlin Head, Teelin Head, and Torr Head. |
| Whilst 2nd Mate on Torr Head, John George saved the crew of the German ship Helene and was awarded a certificate and a medal of bravery as well as binoculars as thanks from the German Kaiser (See A Gallantry Award from the German Kaiser). He joined the Royal Army at the outbreak of the First World War and fought chiefly on the Somme. He attained the rank of Major, but was taken prisoner during the German Spring Offensive of 1918, and died of his wounds a week later, on 6 April 1918. (See also Major John George Brew, 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, France, 1914-18). | |