256065 Pte. Victor Joseph Brewer British Army 2/6th Btn. Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment My father Victor Brewer was in the TA with the 19th London Regiment from 1934 to 1939. At the outbreak of war, he was to be part of Royal Berkshire Regiment but had to change insignia badges to transfer to 2/6th Queens in 1939.
He arrived in France in April or May 1940 on pioneer duties, assisting the French repair the railways.
During the retreat across France, passing over many WW1 battle fields, he reached Le Harve for evacuation back to U.K.
During 1940 to 1942 he was on South East coastal defence duties and in 1943 was seconded to 71st Kings African Rifles and went to East Africa, on promotion to serjeant, to train the troops in jungle warfare. In 1944 or 1945 he embarked for Burma via Ceylon and India, to take on the Japanese.
By the end of the Burma campaign he had been promoted to RSM.
Demob came in April 1946, staying on the reserve list till 1952.
|
