BREWILL, Arthur W. [of Edwalton] DSO, TD, FRIBA

Lieut-Col. 7th (Robin Hood) Bn. Sherwood Foresters

Architect & Soldier

Born 17th May 1861, Died 18th Februaruy 1923

Arthur Brewill, photographed in 1900, when he ranked as Major

 Enlisted in the Robin Hood Rifles in 1878, receiving a commission in 1881 when he was made a Lieutenant. In 1886 he was promoted to Captain, and by 1900 he had achieved the rank of Major (See photo).  Later in 1900 he was appointed Hon. Lieutenant-Colonel, with the Volunteer Officers decoration being conferred on him in 1904.

Shortly after receiving this last award the Nottingham Evening News (8-3-1905) noted "It would be impossible to find a more enthusiastic Volunteer officer anywhere than Lieut.-Col. Brewill, who has such a long and successful connection with the Robin Hoods.  He possesses an enviable reputation as a clever tactician, having made a serious study of strategic warfare..... He is, or was, when he devoted more time to shooting, a first-class marksman, and for several years prior to 1897 held the position of Instructor of Musketry...."

The Robin Hood Rifles subsequently became the 7th (Robin Hood) Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters.  Brewill took over command of this Battalion on 31st July 1915, subsequently leading the battalion at the attack on the Hohenzollern redoubt on 13th October, 1915.  He was mentioned in despatches and awarded the DSO.

In peacetine Arthur Brewill was successful architect in Nottingham and surrounding towns and villages.

For information about Brewill's work in architecture, click HERE

He is noted as the designer of Nottingham's memorial to the local First World War  RFC fighter pilot Albert Ball VC which is located in the grounds of Nottingham Castle.  Click HERE for more information.

Also, he designed the memorial to the Sherwood Foresters at Crich in Derbyshire, now known as Crich Stand, and a war memorial in front of Nottingham High school with figures representing youth beckoning his comrade to come on.  This was later translated into bronze by H. Poole ARA.

He retired from the Robin Hoods in 1922, a report in the Nottingham Evening News (25-4-1922) noting that this came after 44 years service, and that he would be replaced by Lt.-Col. W.R. Rook OBE.

Arthur Brewill died less than a year later in February 1923, and was buried at Edwalton Church (West Bridgford)