George was born on the 13th June 1924. He was
the only son of George and Mary Brewin. George attended the South
District Infants, the Burrowmoor Road and the March Grammar School.
As a young lad George spent a lot of time on his uncle's farm in
Norfolk. His friends and contemporaries remember George as a quiet
lad at school and one who was not very keen on sport. During his
teenage years George became an enthusiastic member of the
Conservative Party and enjoyed the social life as well as political
debate.
On leaving school in 1940 when he was 16 George
started to train as an accountant with Whiting and Partners. He also
joined the Home Guard. Part of his duty with the Home Guard was to
help guard the March Post Office. One night he changed into pyjamas
and went to sleep in the sorting office with his gun at his side.
When he eventually woke up the young ladies were busy sorting the
mail and George had what seemed like a very long walk before being
able to change and go off duty. In 1942 George was called up and he
joined the Navy. His first posting was to a former holiday camp in
Skegness to begin his training as a telegraphist. After completing
his initial training George was posted to HMS Scotia in Scotland
where he carried out highly confidential work for the Admiralty.
From Scotland he was moved to Winchester. In 1944 he joined HMS
Inglis and sailed escorting convoys through the dangers of the
Atlantic Ocean. The Royal Navy has always been very dear to George's
heart and so it has not been surprising that George has been a
member of the Royal Naval Association in Ely and then helped to
establish the March Branch and became its President. He has always
been a keen supporter of the Royal British Legion and the local
British Legion Club.
The Brewin Family has had a tradition of service
to others that goes back four generations. George has been a staunch
supporter of the Conservative Party. He joined the March Urban
District Council in the 1960's and was later to serve on the March
Town Council and the Fenland District Council. George always put the
interests of March people first. He was the Town Mayor on four
occasions and was also the Mayor's consort when Patsy became Mayor.
George carried out his role with dedication and enthusiasm. Many of
his ideas have developed into the town's traditions. On one occasion
a youngster asked if she could help switch on the town's Christmas
lights - George was pleased to accept the offer and showed his sense
of fun when he was pleased to put a ribbon round her neck with a
medal attached that said 'George will fix it'. George and Patsy also
started what became the tradition to enjoy music and entertainment
for the Christmas light switch on.
George and Patsy always supported each other and
worked as a team in whatever they did for the town. They were well
known for visiting the local nursing homes at Christmas with sherry
to help the celebrations and for organising Christmas concerts and
visits to the lights for our senior citizens. George was always
proud of the fact that he was able to raise enough money for special
equipment for disabled swimmers at the town swimming pool and that
he was involved in the twinning of the town with St John de Braye in
France. When raising money for the special equipment at the swimming
pool George showed his determination by learning to swim himself and
having the achievement recognized by being awarded a Brownie
swimming badge!
Over the years George has been involved in many
aspects of public life in the town and been an active member of many
organisations. These have included March Brass 2000, The March
branch of the British Legion, the Friends of Doddington Hospital,
numerous school governing bodies, the March Educational Foundation,
The Royal Naval Association, March Museum, March Probus Club, the
Stone Cross Lodge and the Mason's St Wendreda's Chapter. Although
George devoted a huge part of his life with Patsy's support to
public service he also ran the family business as a jeweller,
furniture shop, removal business and as a funeral director. In all
his business dealings George will always be remembered as someone
who was honest and fair. His word was his bond. People who worked
for Brewins always stayed with the firm for a long time and were
quite happy to help in all aspects of the family business. Like his
father before him, George was a familiar figure in March and always
immaculate in his dark suit.
Since the early 1980's Patsy has played an
important part helping George to run the business. Whenever George
received a call that someone had died he always went straight away -
whether he was on holiday or at a ball. George carried out his
duties with care and in his quiet, respectful and solemn way.
George and Patsy were committed and enthusiastic
members of the March Young Conservatives. Eventually when Patsy left
Teacher Training College George asked Patsy if she would like to go
to London Airport to see the aircraft. He told Patsy that he would
come and collect her at 8 o'clock next morning. George turned up in
the hearse ready to drive to London, but Patsy refused to go in the
hearse! They continued to be friends, to attend functions and to
play tennis -but it was some time before they went out together
again. They attended many dances and conferences. Romance blossomed
and George asked Patsy to marry him. Patsy knew that George was a
good dancer, well dressed, dignified, respected and a true gentleman
- but George was also a very down to earth man - so when Patsy
hesitated George said 'either say yes or call it day!'. They were
married on 8th August 1961 which was Bank Holiday Tuesday. George's
excuse if he forgot the anniversary was the fact that they had
changed August Bank Holiday to later in the month!
George was always well known throughout the
town. He normally walked through the town to fetch his daily paper
and acknowledged everyone he passed. Like his father and grandfather
before him George would stand outside the shop doorway greet people
and have a quiet word with them. Years ago the front bar of the
Griffin was very much men only. Local businessmen would gather there
especially on Market Day. George enjoyed friendship and good debate
over a glass of beer or a whisky whether it was at the Griffin , the
Conservative club or occasionally at the Seven Stars.
As a young man George would go out with his
friends to places like the Pike and Eel where he would join in
playing bowls with boiled eggs in the dining room. George was
unflappable and had a dry sense of humour- who else when young, for
a night out would sit in a car as a passenger, watch the driver
misjudge the bend, go down into the dyke and out again or on another
occasion get in and out of a bad skid and say nothing until
completing the journey, and then saying very quietly -'you silly so
and so!' or 'if I'd known there was going to be a lot of messing
about I wouldn't have come' When he was 65, Patsy organised a large
surprise party for George at the Conservative Club. Amazingly it
remained a surprise party. They called at the club for drink en
route to his celebration and walked into a room full of guests.
Later in his speech, after assuring people that he would not be
retiring at 65, George said it was a relief to realise what the
mysterious silent phone calls were, because he had wondered what was
going on.
Throughout George's life one of his most
important interests has been in education. He realised what a
difference a good education can make to people. Those people who
have worked with George in his educational work have appreciated how
on many occasions George made a perceptive comment or gave a well
judged piece of advice that added so much to the process of
governance.
But above all George loved Patsy and did all he
could for the people of March.
It will not surprise you that any donations you
give in memory of George will all be given to the March Branch of
the Royal Naval Association and to the March Branch of the Royal
British Legion Club Building fund for the repair of their
Headquarters. Patsy would also like you to know that everyone is
welcome at the Conservative Club for refreshments immediately after
this service. At times like this people really do appreciate having
friends around them and so I hope that you will join us at the
Conservative Club. I can assure you that everyone is welcome - and
it's just what George would have wanted.
George:
worked nearly all his life
always doing something for other people
generous of spirit, resources and time
when staff came they stayed
a good boss
loyal to his staff and realised they were
good to him
never a cross word
never over excited
showed little emotion
not one for small talk
his dry humour
the Conservative conferences in the
1950's
took them seriously listened to all the
debates. Attended fringe meetings enjoyed a serious discussion
joined in the children's games
enjoyed the circuses at March, Yarmouth
and Peterborough
the theatre and the local operatic
the drama group in the navy
helping Uncle George on his allotment -
growing his own green beans
Yorkshire pudding
driving the 'ride on' mower in his suit
a good knowledge of history
war films and 'Dad's Army' on television
the lorry's stuck! laughed and saw the
funny side
ran out of petrol and woke the garage
owner in the middle of the night
the New Year's Eve parties
'we must investigate the anomalies and
ambiguities rather than make a quick decision'
that lovely deep chuckle ending with 'O
dear, O dear, O dear'
liked a laugh and a good joke
proud of his Navy connections
a character
respected, part of March
as George the IV he was always referred
to as 'young George' even when he was 80!
determined and continued his duties to
the end.
both wanted the best for March and not
for their own benefit
only managed all he did with Patsy's
love, support and encouragement
a much loved gentleman and friend who
will be sadly missed
