Edward Fitzgerald Brereton

Edward Fitzgerald Brereton was the son of William Westropp Brereton QC, a barrister at the Irish bar. He was commissioned in the Northamptonshire Regiment [then the 48th Foot] on 11 August 1880. He was Adjutant 1st Battalion Northamptonshire (August 1885-August 1890).

He later served with this battalion on the North West Frontier (1897-8), including the Tirah Expedition, and on the Staff in the South African War (1899-1902), where he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the DSO. He was CO 2nd Northamptonshire (June 1907-June 1911) before suffering the customary fate of many who reached the rank of full colonel by being placed on half-pay. He was rescued from this state in May 1912 by his appointment as first commander of the newly established 2nd West Riding Brigade, part of the Territorial Force. He was 51. 

In April 1915 Brereton took his brigade, now 147th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division, to France. He remained in command until September 1916, when he was sent home after the failure of his brigade’s attack on Thiepval. After another period on half-pay (September 1916-May 1917) he was given command of the Wessex Reserve Brigade at home.

He commanded this formation until his retirement on 24 April 1918.