DONALD BRETT
Born: 1898, Ipswich.
Died on or since death presumed: 14th February 1917; age 19; KiA.
Evening Star – Friday, 26th March 1915 – Mrs. Minnie Brett, of 6, Bath Street, Stoke, Ipswich, has received a letter from her son, Private Donald Brett, of the 4th Suffolks, stating that he is in the General Infirmary at Worcester. He is wounded in the leg, but the wound is not sufficiently serious to worry about. “My word,” he writes, “you should have seen us at Neuve Chapelle. It was glorious, and you bet we did not leave any Germans behind; the men that were captured were glad to be made prisoners.” He hopes to be on furlough ere long.
Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – Friday, 23rd March 1917 – Mr. and Mrs. Breet, of 6, Bath Street, Stoke, Ipswich, have received information from the officer in charge of records that their son, Lance Corporal Donald Brett, of the Suffolk Regiment, is posted as missing on the 14th February. He was sent to France when the battalion went out in November 1914 and was wounded at Neuve Chapelle in March 1915. On his recovery, he returned to France in November 1915. He is 19 years of age. His parents will be grateful for information concerning him.
Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – Friday, 11th January 1918 – Mr. and Mrs. Brett, of 6, Bath Street, Stoke, Ipswich, have received official information that their son, Lance Corporal Donald Brett, who was last reported missing since the 14th February last, has now been presumed to have been killed on that date. Donald joined the Suffolk Regiment at the outbreak of the war and went to France in November 1914. He was wounded at Neuve Chapelle in the following March, returning to France in November 1915; so he had had three winters there. Donald was 19 years of age.
Residence: 6, Bath Street, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 8th November 1914.
Rank: Lance Corporal; Service Number: 200409
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion.
Formerly 2020, Suffolk Regiment.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star.
Memorial Reference:
Pier & Face 1C & 2A.
Somme,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Minne Brett, of 6, Bath Street, Stoke, Ipswich & the late Frederick Brett.
CENSUS
1901 6, Bath Street, Ipswich.
Donald was 3 years old and living with his mother & brothers.
Minnie Brett, 40, born Occold, Suffolk.
Charles Frederick Brett, 8, born Ipswich.
Fred Brett, 7, born Ipswich.
Benjamin Brett, 5, born Ipswich.
George Brett, 11 months, born Ipswich.
In 1901, Donald’s father was away from home as a boarder at the home of 58 year old, gardener, Alfred W. Grint, at his home – Trinity Cottage, Oulton.
Thomas Frederick Brett, 53, a Carpenter, born Heston, Middlesex.
1911 6, Bath Street, Ipswich.
Donald was 13 years old, a Van Boy – Brewery. He was living with his parents & siblings.
Thomas, 58, a Retired Army Pensioner + Carpenter – Building.
Minnie, 50.
Charles, 18, a Barman – Hotel.
Fred, 17, a Labourer – Fishmonger.
Benjamin, 15, a Barman – Hotel.
George, 10.
Minnie Brett, 9, born Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Thomas F. Brett – father, and later to Minnie Brett – mother.
Donald is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich.
Suffolk Regiment, 4th Battalion:
Suffolk Regiment Battalion movements
SUFFOLK REGIMENT MUSEUM
Friends of The Suffolk Regiment
Leave a Reply