Brewer R.M.S. - The OldWinburnians

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Lt. Brewer was the son of James Gaskille Brewer & Esher Elizabeth Brewer of "Oakford", Redcotts, Wimborne and the husband of Gladys Brewer.
At school Robert was an all-round sportsman and he was awarded his colours in all sports. He also took part in at least one School Play - "Escape" in Jan 1934. He left theSchool in the summer of that year.
It is understood that it was probably in the late Spring of 1938 that Robert joined the Fleet Air Arm. However, he is known to have been on a "short course of instruction" at the beginning of 1939 and he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant from 23rd January 1939.
Bob served in 825 Squadron on HMS Furious from the 27th March 1940 and he was promoted to Lieutenant on the 23rd September 1940. He joined HMS Jackdaw (R.N. Air Station, Crail on the East Coast of Fifeshire) on 15th March 1941.
Lt. Brewer was the pilot of a Fairey Albacore ( N.4256) engaged in air-to-air firing practice, when it spun into the sea off a stall turn and sank off Arbroath (Angus), some 20 miles north of his base. His crew of two died with him. Parts of the aircraft were brought up by trawlers over the next two years.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Lee-on-Solent which was the principal base of the service. The memorial is on Marine Parade West , approx half a mile west of the town centre.