In South Shields (Harton) Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

465706 Corporal
F.J. Brewis
Royal Engineers
17th February 1919  age 26

Until the day dawns

The husband of Mary Brewis, of 6, Beattie Street, Tyne Dock.

Frederick Johnson Brewis was born in 1892, one of nine children in South Shields, to father William Thomas Brewis, born 1851, died 1900, and his wife Susannah Bell Brewis nee Tweddell. They were married on the 5th May 1873 in Corbridge.

The other children were: –

• Annie Jane Brewis, born 1875, died 1933, she married Charles Henry Graham, born 1853, died 1912, on the 21st November 1896, in Gateshead, Durham, in 1901. Annie Jane and Charles Henry were residing at 29 Romilly Street, South Shields, and Charles Henry was a Stone Dressing Machinist with his own account, and they had two children. In 1991, Annie Jane was residing at 11 Hampden Street, South Shields, with her four children,
• William Brewis, born 26th July 1876, died 1941 he may have married Elizabeth Panton, born 19th July 1879, in 1906, in South Shields; in 1911, William and Elizabeth were residing at 101 Collingwood Street, South Shields, and William was a Joiner doing Railway Work, and they had two sons. In 1921, William and Elizabeth were still residing at 101 Collingwood Street, South Shields with their two children, and William was a Railway Joiner with the North Eastern Railway Company.  In 1939, William and Elizabeth were residing at 55 Sycamore Avenue, South Shields with their two sons, William, born 23rd March 1907, and Joseph, born 12th February 1909;
• John Brewis, born 1879, died 1926, in 1921, John Brewis was residing at 97 Collingwood Street, South Shields, and he was a Metallic Packing Broker employed by Newton & Nicholson Packing. Also at the home were his sister, Evelyn Brewis, his brother Austin Brewis and his wife, Rose Isabella Brewis, born 1895, and a boarder, William Price Graham, born 1898.
• Mary Ann Brewis, born 3rd April 1880, died 1941, she married John Thomas Denyer, born 1879, died 1916, In 1910, at South Shields. In 1911, Mary Ann and John Thomas were residing at 57 Collingwood Street, South Shields. John Thomas was a N.E.R. Craneman at Elswick Engineering Works, John Thomas’ sister, Mary Ann Denyer, born 1891, was also at the home.  [On the 14th April 1916, John Thomas Denyer fell from a Crane due to a high wind, at Tyne Dock River Jetty, he died at Ingham Infirmary on the 18th April, as told by him to his wife. Inquest verdict accidental death (fall from quayside after tripping on chain), however, witness Mr William Henderson stated that he was certain that Denyer fell backwards {from the Quay and not from the Crane}, off the Quay onto the combings of the Keel Lhassa, which was lying underneath. He struck the keel with his back and fell into the river. William Henderson master of the Lhassa], rescued  Denyer from the water]. In 1919, Mary Ann Denyer re-married Archibald Louis Lionel Denyer, born Bognor, Sussex, 22nd March 1889,  died 1941,  at South Shields. Archibald Denyer enlisted into the Royal Garrison Artillery, at South Shields on the 21st November 1914, 5 feet Six inches, 156lbs, rank Gunner, service number 52978.  23rd November he was at the Depot at Newhaven. In 1939, Mary Ann Denyer and Archibald Denyer, born 22nd March 1889, were residing at 97 Collingwood Street, South Shields, and Archibald was a Dock Boatman doing Heavy Work.
• Cissie Brewis, born 1883.
• Lilian Brewis, born 1888.
• Evelyn Brewis, born 1889, died, aged 40, in 1927, at South Shields.
• Austin Brewis, born, 18th January 1894, baptised 19th December 1894, died 1941, he married Rose Isabella Stoddart, born 29th December 1895, in 1920, in South Shields. Austin enlisted into the Territorial 4th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, service number 742, on the 24th November 1913 at South Shields. 5 feet two inches. He was embodied on the 5th August 1914. Austin was discharged 10th August 1914. In 1921, Austin and Rose were residing at 97 Collingwood Street, South Shields, and Austin was a Wagon Cleaner, at the Goods Dept, North Eastern Railway Co, but was out of work. In 1939, Austin and Rose were residing at 55 Collingwood Street, South Shields, and their daughter, Rose Brewis, born 19th August 1920, was at the home with them. After Austin’s death, Rose Isabella Brewis re-married Joseph W. Dunn in 1942, in South Shields. Joseph W. Dunn died, aged 49, in 1943, at South Shields, after Joseph’s death, Rose Isabella Dunn married Richard W.B. Bristow on the 29th December 1950, in South Shields. Rose Isabella Bristow died, aged 75, in 1970 in South Shields.

In 1911, Frederick Johnson Brewis was residing with his widowed mother, Susannah Brewis, at 97 Collingwood Street, South Shields.

Frederick Johnson Brewis married Mary Mitchell, born 31st March 1892, died in 1983, in 1917, at South Shields. Frederick worked for the North Eastern Railway at Tyne Dock as a joiner.

Frederick served in the Tyne Electrical Engineers, in either the 22nd, 26th or 44th Anti Aircraft Searchlight Companies. Royal Engineers. He did not serve overseas. This unit was part of the Northumbrian Division. He was appointed an acting Corporal.

Frederick Johnson Brewis died at Deans Hospital, South Shields of influenza on the 17th February 1919.

In 1921, widowed Mary Brewis was residing at 22 Beattie Street, South Shields, at the home of her widowed mother, Mary Hutton Mitchell, born 1865, and a Draper.  Also at the home were Mary Brewis’ two sisters, Letitia Mitchell, born 1901, and Isabella Mitchell, born 1903.  Granddaughter, Irene Letitia Brewis, born 1919, was also at the home, presumably Mary and Frederick Brewis’ daughter.

Irene Letitia Brewis, born 12th June 1919, died 24th December 2021. In 1939, she was residing with her widowed grandmother, Mary H. Mitchell at 35 Crofton Street, South Shields, and she was a Shorthand Typist. Irene L. Brewis married Henry Bertram in 1942, in South Shields. Irene Letitia Bertram died, aged 102, on 24th December 2021, in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Mary Brewis married James E.C. Bell, born 19th September 1896, in 1934, in South Shields.

In 1939, Mary and James Bell were residing at 31 Talbot Road, South Shields, and James was a Timekeeper and Abstract Clerk, River Tyne, Port Harbour Anchor, and his Civil Role during WW2 was ARP Voluntary First Aider.  Also at the home was Isabella Longstaff [nee Mitchell], Mary’s sister, who had married Alfred Longstaff in 1928, in South Shields, plus one redacted record.

Mary Brewis’ second husband, James Edward Crosbie Bell, died 3rd June 1972, in South Shields.

Sources:  British Newspaper Archive; Western Front Association;  James Hoy Archive; National Army Museum; York Railway Museum; History of the Tyne Engineers;

Frederick Johnson Brewis is remembered at South Shields on S86.043 and on the North Eastern Railway Memorial (York).