Brewer, Percival James (Private, b.1896 - d.1915)

Collection relating to the First World War service of 1856 Private Percival James Brewer, 14th Battalion. Brewer was born in Allansford near Warrnambool in Victoria in 1896. He enlisted at Melbourne in January 1915, and trained at Broadmeadows before embarking for Egypt on 20 March 1915 onboard HMAT A9 Shropshire. He sailed from there to Gallipoli onboard HMAT A12 Saldanha at the end of May.

Collection consists of a handwritten diary covering Brewer's voyage to and training in Egypt, and many letters (some with envelopes) and some postcards written home to his family from Queenscliffe and Broadmeadows training camps in Australia, while at sea on route to Egypt and during his time there, and from his eventual destination on Gallipoli. Some of the letters are undated or incorrectly dated, with either a wrong month or year, and a couple are incomplete. A transcript of the items in the collection is also included but is missing 2 of the letters, and has the addition of 2 related news clippings. An electronic version of the transcript is available. Of note is the every day nature of Brewer's letters and his desire of news from home, and the one and only letter from Brewer's father in which he articulates his love and religious belief, saying 'Just a few lines to remind you of our love... It is good to know dear Percy whatever the prospect in this world, through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus, we have a sure hope for eternity which is of far greater importance... I pray God dear Percy, that we might be enabled to stretch out the hand of faith and take what God is so willing to give.' Also included in the collection are 2 receipts from the Darge Photographic Company, a newspaper clipping about Lance-Corporal P.J. Brewer, three souvenirs, five blank postcards from Egypt and a number of empty unmatched envelopes.

Brewer died onboard Hospital Ship Neuralia, of wounds received in action at Gallipoli on 12 August 1915. He was buried at sea.