In Crail Cemetery, Fife, is the Commonwealth War Grave of Sub-Lieutenant (A) Geoffrey Brewis, serving on H.M.S. Jackdaw with the Fleet Air Arm Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who died 23/07/1942.

The son of William and Hannah Brewis, of Benton, Northumberland.

Geoffrey Brewis was born in 1921, and was the son of William and Hannah Brewis, of Benton, Northumberland.

He was educated at Heaton Grammar School between 1932 to 1936. Geoffrey was also a Scout in the 4th Newcastle upon Tyne Group.

He was based at HMS Jackdaw which was a Training base for the Fleet Air Arm. [It is one of the best preserved abandoned airfields in Scotland]. World War II saw its development as a Fleet Air Arm (FAA) station, RNAS Crail, from 1939 to 1947, when it served as a torpedo training school, HMS Jackdaw. There are also references to Balcomie Airfield, after the name of the main access road.

He was in Squadron 785 when he was killed in a flying accident at sea.

785 Squadron was formed as FBR training squadron, Crail, 4th November 1940. Initial equipment comprised thirteen sharks and five Swordfish. The squadron became part of No 1 Naval Operational Training Unit in late 1944. Disbanded early 1946.

Source : Royal Navy Handbook 1939-1945

Geoffrey Brewis is remembered at Heaton in H91.02, in the Scout Association WW2 Roll of Honour and in our List of Ships’ Crews.