The Airmen's Stories - P/O J Brewster

John Brewster, of Winsleyhurst, Yorkshire was born on 16th March 1916, the son of Thomas Fox Brewster (1874-1957) and Katharine May Brewster (nee Harrison 1876-1968).

He was employed as an Estate Agent in Cambridge when he joined 616 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force.

He was called to full-time service on 24th August 1939.

After completing his training he was posted to 6 OTU at Sutton Bridge on 28th April 1940. After converting to Hurricanes Brewster was sent to PDC Uxbridge on 15th May for allocation to a squadron.

He was posted to 615 Squadron at Kenley in May 1940 after its withdrawl from France.

On 1st July Brewster rejoined 616 Squadron at Leconfield and shared in destroying a He111 on the same day.

On 19th August the squadron was posted south to Kenley. He claimed a Me109 on 1st September and on 5th November 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 6th April 1941, in a practice dogfight, Brewster in 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.

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Above: on 14th September 2014 a memorial to the two men was unveiled at the crash site at Seagry, west of Swindon.