Brennan, Mat (M)

Dr. Frederick Holles Brennan was born in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada in 1862 to Denis Brennan, a hotelkeeper, and his wife, Anne O'Brien. Brennan was baptized in the Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains. A graduate of Ottawa High School, he was a member of the Canadian College of Surgeons. Brennan was trained in Canada, and served as a captain in the North West Rebellion against Louis Cyr and the metis in Manitoba. He emigrated from Canada to Johannesburg in 1896, and served in the Second Boer War on the hospital ship Hawarden Castle. In 1910 he was decorated by Field Marshal HRH the Duke of Connaught. Brennan was co-founder of the South African Irish Regiment in 1914, and was its first commanding officer, serving as a lieutentant colonol in German South West Africa when troops were sent in by PM Louis Botha. Brennan passed away in 1927, and is buried in Brixton Cemetery. He was an avid sportsman and Roman Catholic.

Update on birthdate for Frederick Holles Brennan: 10 Sep 1861.