Clifford Reginald Brewster

A Lance Corporal with 47th (Oldham) Regiment, Clifford died on 27th of October 1942 at the age of 35. 

Clifford was born at Ipswich on 14 July 1907, a son of Herbert Walter and Ethel May Brewster. In 1911 his family lived at 26 Norwich Road, Ipswich. Clifford was educated at Mrs. Goves School, Berners Street, Ipswich. From 16 September 1914 to 24 July 1919 Clifford attended Northgate Grammar School, Ipswich, and was then a pupil at Woodbridge Grammar School. By 1929 Clifford, and his parents, were living at Bridge Street, Loddon. 

Clifford married Doris May Littlewood in 1930, this was registered in the Loddon district. By 1939 they were living at 28-30 Carlton Road, Lowestoft, and Clifford was a wine and spirit merchant’s manager and a Special Constable. 

Clifford joined the Army and served with the 47th (Oldham) Royal Tank Regiment. His unit arrived at Suez on 9 July 1942. Due to shortages the unit had to give up their tanks for use by other regiments. In September 1942 the regiment moved to Fayid and was equipped with Sherman and Crusader tanks in readiness for the Battle of El Alamein. On 21 October 1942 they moved to the assembly area and on 23 October moved off, following the ‘Boat Track’ through minefields, to join the battle. On the morning of 27 October, the regiment were heavily engaged in fighting at Outpost Snipe and 25 German tanks attempted to ambush the regiment. Soon the regiment was reduced to eleven tanks and, by 9 a.m., was ordered to retire. Clifford was killed in action at El Alamein on 27 October. After losses at EL Alamein the 47th Regiment was disbanded.