In 2007 a certain notoriety crept into the Brecht One Name Study:

George Henry Brecht

One of the extraordinary finds in 2007 was tracing a further cousin, a descendant of George Henry Brecht of whom I knew very little.

It appears that he was something of a rogue and bully:

• he had an illegitimate son Albert by Lucy Ann Cornwall in a workhouse in 1900
• he married Lucy Ann in 1902 and they had a further child George Henry Brecht later that year
• George Henry Brecht Senior was violent towards Albert and his mother
• he emigrated to Australia in 1911 (and his wife remarried in 1916)
• Albert was disgusted with his father and adopted the surname Cornwall
• it is reported that George ran a brothel in Australia
• he was murdered in 1951 (age 71 or 72)

A newspaper article at the time gave more details:

Murder of George Brett

His descendants have since obtained other newspaper articles and a copy of George Henry Brecht's criminal record in Australia. which includes his crimes in England.

They also obtained George Henry Brett's death certificate:

7 Agar Steps, Millers Point, Sydney

George Henry Brett, Widower, Wharf Labourer, Age 74 died 12 July 1951 "from the effects of a fracture of the skull and injury to the brain feloniously and maliciously"
- finding of an Inquest held at Sydney on 4 August and 20 Septenber 1951.

Married Louise Cornwell

Issue

Cornwall A.E. 51 years
George H 49
Alfred 47
Bert 45
One female deceased

Informant: G. Brett, son, 52 Bream Street, Googee or Coogee

Colin Bower
15 February 2021

Links to:

Brecht One Name Study - Main Index