The Airmen's Stories - P/O J Brewster

John Brewster, of Winsleyhurst, Yorkshire, joined 616 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force before the war and was called to full-time service on August 24th 1939. After completing his training he was posted to 6 OTU at Sutton Bridge on April 28th 1940. After converting to Hurricanes Brewster was sent to PDC Uxbridge on May 15th for allocation to a squadron. He was posted to 615 Squadron at Kenley in May 1940 after its withdrawl from France.

On July 1st he rejoined 616 Squadron at Leconfield and shared in destroying a He111 on the same day. On August 19th the squadron was posted south to Kenley. He claimed a Me109 on September 1st and on November 5th crashed in a Spitfire at Kirton-in-Lindsey landing in adverse weather conditions and poor visibility. He was unhurt.

In 1941 Brewster was serving with 118 Squadron at Filton. On April 6th 1941 his Spitfire X4822 collided with X4826 flown by P/O HA Williams, both men were killed.

Brewster was 25 and is buried in St Giles' churchyard extension, Stanton St Quintin, Wiltshire.