Dawlish World War One Project

On the outbreak of War Henry Alfred Hogarth Bren joined the Public School's Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment and he was a Private in that regiment when he applied for Appointment to a Commission in the Special Reserve of Officers, stating a preference for the 4th Battalion of the Leinster Regiment (Special Reserve). He was awarded a Temporary Commission on 7th November 1914.

It appears that he served initially in Ireland for he was admitted to the Military Hospital, Curragh, in October 1915 for 'Nasal obstruction and tonsils', and was declared 'fit for general duties' on 27 January 1916.
He embarked for France on 15th July 1916, but was suffering from Hay Fever by 31st July and admitted to the 7th Stationary Hospital, Boulogne for two weeks, rejoining his unit on 20th August.

His father received a telegram at St Paul's College, Cheltenham dated 16th September, stating,' Regret to inform you that Lieut H A H Bren Leinster Regiment was missing September 9. This does not necessarily mean killed or wounded. Further reports will be sent when received. Kindly notify Casualties War Office full name of officer's father.'
A further telegram to Rev H Bren, St Paul's College, Cheltenham, dated 4th October – 'Deeply regret to inform you that Lieut H A H Bren Leinster Regiment previously reported missing 9 October (clearly error for September -ed) now reported killed in action. The Army Council expresses their sympathy.'

Henry Alfred Bren (1855-1930) was born in Jaffna, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), and he married Georgiana Elizabeth Cole (1859-1938) in Bombay (now Mumbai) on 30 October 1885.
They had three children, the youngest being Henry Alfred Hogarth Bren who was born in Leeds after their return from India.

In 1911 the census shows father and son at the Church of England Training College, Swindon Road, Cheltenham, where Revd H A Bren was 56 and Head of the College and his son aged 19 was shown as ‘school’. He matriculated from Oriel College, Oxford in November 1911. Meanwhile his mother and siblings were living at 'Nasik', Holcombe.

At the time of Lt Bren’s death Revd Bren had moved to Holcombe to retire; he was then 61. He is shown as resident at Holcombe in the 1919 and 1923 Kelly’s Directories for Dawlish, living at ‘Nasik’, Fodens Lane (the first house on the left entering ‘Fordens Lane’ from the Teignmouth Road, A379).
Rev Bren died at Holcombe in 1930 and his wife in 1938.

In Holcombe Church a brass memorial tablet reads as follows:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
HENRY ALFRED HOBART BREN
LIEUT LEINSTER REGIMENT
EXHIBITIONER OF ORIEL COLLEGE OXFORD
WHO FELL AT THE STORMING OF GUILLEMONT AND
GINCHY 9 SEPTEMBER 1916 AGED 24
With Christ which is far better