Brett, George

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George Brett

DM2/135272, Private, Army Service Corps (MT)
Died of Illness, 9 February 1919, aged 28
Buried at St. André Communal Cemetery, Lille, France

CWGC registered (no family details)

George Brett was born at Hollington near Hastings in 1890. His mother was Annie Brett and his father was probably William Brett, a bricklayer’s labourer. George had an elder brother Thomas and a younger brother Frank. In 1901, a widowed Annie Brett lived with her sons in Hastings though by 1911, all four were living at 6 Spring Street, St. Leonards on Sea, George being described as a mechanic employed by a skating rink company. Roller skating had come to St. Leonards in 1909 when the American Roller Skating Syndicate transformed the Royal Concert Hall in the town. Roller skating came to Llandudno at about the same time and this may be the reason why George found his way to the town. The first record of his living there is a marriage certificate dated 17 February 1914 when he married Elizabeth Jane Roberts at Llanrhos Parish Church – his address was given as 29 King’s Road, Llandudno. A son Sydney Brett was born on 6 August 1914 and his brother Hugh Brett was born on 6 September 1915.

In October 1915, George volunteered to join the army at Llandudno. His trade as a mechanic was enough to recruit him into the Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport). He joined at Osterley Park on 31 October 1915; his service number was DM2/135272, the prefix DM2 indicating that he was a Mechanical Transport Learner. He passed the Motor Learner’s Test Certificate A on 30 December 1915 and disembarked at Rouen on 5 January 1916 and was initially posted to 317 MT Company and thence to various troop supply columns and other units. George spent 15 days in March 1918 on leave and on his return to duty joined the 16th Divisional MT Company. George’s leave was seemingly fruitful because his son George was born on 1 December 1918.

George Brett survived the war but was a victim of the influenza pandemic of 1918/1919. He was admitted to No 11 Casualty Clearing Station at St. André near Lille on 3 February 1919 and died of broncho-pneumonia on 15 February 1919 aged 28. He was buried at St. André Communal Cemetery.

Elizabeth Jane Brett died in 1972.

Known memorials:

• Llandudno Roll of Honour
• Llandudno War Memorial
• Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno