Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Hugh Brewer

Obituary for Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Hugh Brewer

Somehow it was difficult to appreciate that Lt Col Geoffrey Brewer TD was no longer with us. Although he was something of a great age and in far from perfect health, he was a great “player” and always there. He had terrific resilience, great determination and real guts. These last characteristics were obvious a year ago when we unveiled the brilliant Essex Regiment memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. He was determined to be there, but somehow the journey proved too tricky. He tried everything and had a pretty miserable day on an unendurable journey. But he had tried to do what he saw as his duty.

His personal characteristics were evident throughout his long life and whole career. He was born in Epping and was proud of not having had any form of silver spoon at birth. His education was severely curtailed after a very bad bus accident which prevented his going to secondary school altogether. His basic training for National Service was in DCLI at 140 paces to the minute! He was commissioned to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps with whom he helped clear up the mess left by his beloved 4th Essex after El Alamain. As soon as he was demobilised he joined the 4th Battalion, The Essex Regiment TA.

He also started studying the law and qualified as a solicitor with one of London’s top firms, Simmons & Simmons, where he became a partner and a greatly respected lawyer. This was no mean feat whilst at the same time, in the TA, captaining his Battalion shooting team, progressing from 2nd Lieutenant to Lieutenant Colonel, commanding a platoon, a company and later a larger Home Defence Force, the Essex Regiment (T).

On top of his TA and legal careers, he took a very active role in local government and politics. He became chairman of the Wanstead and Woodford Conservative party whose long term MP was Sir Winston Churchill. He was also a councillor for the Borough of Redbridge and with his wife, Maureen, they were Mayor and Mayoress 1989 – 90.

Always loyal and democratic, he greatly respected such figures as Sir Winston and some senior military officers. Conversely, he was less in awe of those who presided over what he saw, as the destruction of the Territorial Army. He drew wry amusement from the names of the generals involved; Hackett and Carver, and thought their names could not have been more appropriate!

The outcome of their reorganisation was the abolition of the 4th/5th Battalion, The Essex Regiment which was replaced by The Essex Regiment (T), of which he was appointed Commanding Officer in the rank of Lt Col He was thus the last Lt Col, CO of any formation of The Essex Regiment. He did not let any of his illustrious predecessors down. It was an interesting period and the first time that members of the WRAC were embodied in what was nominally an infantry formation. He was concerned that there could be an outbreak of licentiousness and countered this with strong threats, which largely went unheeded! As his Adjutant at the two camps we accomplished in Folkestone and Norfolk I had a close view of what was a slightly odd set up, but was very aware of how much Geoffrey won our affection before he retired with dignity.

As the future shape of the Reserve Forces emerged over this somewhat troubled period, Geoffrey was vociferous in its defence. He did not pull his punches and Wilson, Heath, Callaghan and recently even Cameron would certainly have resigned if his opinion of politicians was the only factor.

The Essex Regiment (T) was reduced to a cadre of eight personnel closely integrated with 5th Royal Anglian. In 1971 the Cadre was fully absorbed into The Royal Anglian Regiment and has evolved into ‘E’ Company based in Chelmsford and Hertford. Geoffrey then became a trustee of The Essex Regiment Association and maintained a detailed and benign interest. He was also proud to succeed Major General Denis Beckett who was the first President of the 4th/5th Battalion (TA) branch of The Essex Regiment Association. That Battalion won its spurs at Monte Casino.

He was particularly good at deciding what was right and, initially, was not entirely in favour of our last great effort in developing the Essex Regiment memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. Nevertheless, he was proud of the outcome.

He had a passion for life and was always supported by his beloved wife, Maureen, who sadly predeceased him. He was a keen family man and inseparable from Maureen, his son, Iain, daughter-in-law, Karen, and grandsons, Adam and Simon. His funeral service at St. Barnabas Church in Woodford was a warm, memorable and loving tribute to a man who is already greatly missed and who will be long remembered and valued.