Life story retold by Paul Beecroft
William James Justins BRINN was born in Truro in 1856. His father, James BRINN, was born in Caversham, Reading in 1825 and his occupation was Carpenter and Joiner. His mother was Ann BRINN who was also born in Reading in 1829. William had three siblings – Sarah Ann (1854), Alice (1861) and Thomas Alfred (1863).
Although William was born in Truro it is not thought that the family lived there, or if they did, it was not for long as Sarah Ann was born in Reading and the 1861 census shows the family living at 2, Talfourd Place, East Street, Reading.
In 1871, James and his sister Sarah are living with their Great Uncle, Thomas JUSTINS, at 100, London Street, Reading. The census states this premises as a Public House. However, it is most likely a brewing house as Thomas is shown as a Master Brewer employing 5 people. Both James and Sarah are shown as still being at school. Why James and Sarah were living with their Great Uncle is a mystery as their parents resided at 6, Church Street with Alice and Thomas.
By 1881, James is now living at 117, Kings Road with his sister Sarah who is now married to Frederick A. Cox. Sarah has two children: Alice who is two years old and Edith Sabine, one year. William is now 26 years old, and his occupation is Master Brewer.
William’s mother is now resident at 89, London Road with Alice. His father James had passed away in September 1873 at the age of just 49.
On February 24th, 1883, William married Fanny Rosina Merrick ELLIS. Fanny was born April 20th, 1856 in Churcham, Gloucestershire. Her parents were Daniel Merrick ELLIS and Elizabeth ELLIS. Her father was a Carpenter. Fanny came from a large family and had 10 siblings. At the time of their marriage Fanny was working as a Domestic Housemaid. Following their marriage, William and Fanny resided at Colborne Villa, Castle Crescent, Reading. They had one Domestic Servant. It appears that William and Fanny did not have any children.
William obviously became involved in the Brewing business. Over the years Reading has been home to a number of breweries. One such brewery was Justins or Justin’s Brewery. In 1857 there is mention of Justin’s Brewery in Kings Road. In 1863, there is a Justin’s Brewery in Castle Street and the licence is held by Arthur JUSTINS. Working with him in the brewery as a clerk was his brother Joseph. Also a Thomas JUSTINS worked there. In 1873 following the death of Arthur the license to the brewery was transferred to Joseph. Joseph died in June 1886.
It is not known exactly when but at some point William becomes involved in Justins Brewery which then becomes Justins and Brinn Brewery. Having the name Justins suggests that he was, in some way, related to Arthur, Joseph and Thomas Justins. By May 1888, William is the sole owner, and the name is changed to Truro Brewery. The following advertisement appeared in many newspapers over several weeks:-
TRURO BREWERY
48, CASTLE STREET, READING.
————
W.J. JUSTINS BRINN
(late Justins and Brinn)
FAMILY AND PALE ALE BREWER
———–
NOTED FAMILY SHILLING ALE
———-
W.J.J.B. will guarantee all Ales supplied by him
To be brewed from MALT and HOPS only.
Price List on Application
————-
All Accounts due to the late Firm to be paid to
W.J. Justins Brinn, Truro Brewery, 48 Castle-street, Reading.
William’s brewing business flourished, and he became associated with a number of Public Houses in Reading which included – The Bear Inn, Bridge Street, Miller’s Arms, Paddock Road, George & Dragon Bath Road, The Roebuck, Auckland Road, The Royal Albion, Oxford Road, The Sportsman, Shinfield Road, The Spread Eagle, Wantage Road, Truro, Castle Street, The County Arms, Watlington Street and York House, Kings Road.
In 1889 William decided to run for election to the Town Council. As the Municipal Elections approached, all candidates would advertise their intention to run for election via local newspapers. William’s letter read as follows:-
TO THE BURGESSES OF BATTLE WARD
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
I HAVE been requested by a large number of the Burgesses of your Ward to offer myself as a Candidate to fill the probable vacancy in the Town Council caused through the continued ill-health of your old representative, Mr. Weightman.
I have always taken a great interest in the welfare and progress of the Borough, and, having the necessary time at my disposal, will promise, should you do me the honour of electing me as your representative, to do my very best to fulfil the duties of the office, endeavouring at all times to combine economy with efficiency.
I remain, yours obediently,
W.J. JUSTINS BRINN
Colborne Villa, Castle Crescent, Reading
Oct. 11th, 1889
William was duly elected and continued to represent Battle Ward for many years eventually becoming a senior councillor and then in 1907 he was elected as an alderman. He would serve on a number of committees including the Drainage and New Buildings Committee. Interestingly, following his election to alderman, Battle Ward was then represented by Edith Sutton the first female Reading councillor.
In November 1900, William sold the Truro Brewery along with 30 licensed houses to Fergusons Brewery who were situated in Broad Street. A newspaper article reported that a satisfactory price had been obtained.
In 1901, the census shows that William and Fanny have moved house and are now resident at Berkeley House, Bath Road. A domestic Cook and Parlour Maid are also resident.
In 1909, a resident of Reading, William Henry White secured a lease on the premises at 47 and 48 Broad Street. In August of that year he opened Reading’s first cinematograph theatre otherwise known as a moving-picture theatre. This was the Vaudeville Theatre which was met with instantaneous success.
The theatre had a seating capacity of 350 which soon proved to be totally inadequate to meet demands. Within six weeks it was decided to extend the theatre and William then joined White becoming a partner. The extension was completed and included a new roof and was then large enough to accommodate 1,100 people. The Vaudeville Theatre also held concerts and other events for charities. The reviews by patrons were very positive and would appear in local newspapers:
Reading Standard September 4, 1909
Vaudeville Theatre.- It is impossible not to find the new Vaudeville Theatre opposite the Post Office in Broad-street. It is too brilliantly conspicuous to be missed and the pictures shown inside are as conspicuously brilliant. The show is a continuous one from 2 p.m. daily, with a complete change of programme twice a week. Since it has been open the new electric theatre has been crowded with delighted patrons.
December 24, 1909
The Electric Vaudeville still maintains its popularity, and a reputation for the excellence of the pictures shown. This week sees no diminution in either, and patrons who visit this popular place of amusement can be certain of a bill of fare to their liking. “The last days of Pompeii” is a remarkable film and is supposed to depict the fall of that city. This film alone is worth the small outlay of the visitor. Another interesting picture is that which illustrates life in the Navy.. . . The boys of the King Alfred Training Brig were on Monday invited to visit the Theatre and witness the pictures of life in the Navy. All boys and officers, numbering 61, attended and were highly pleased with the entertainment.
The popularity of the Theatre continued and in 1920 the Theatre was refurbished and included a form of heating and air conditioning. The Reading Observer for Saturday, November 27, 1920 printed a full page sketch of the theatre and informed the public that shares would be available for purchase:-
Above are views of the interior of the Vaudeville Theatre, Reading, which will be completed early in the New Year, and in connection with which a prospectus offering £60,000 Shares for public subscription is published on another page of this issue.
The construction of this Theatre is considered to be one of the most remarkable accomplishments in the annals of building, as the whole of the work will have been carried out without closing the existing Theatre for one single day or hour. In fact, the existing Theatre actually stands inside the new one.
The Theatre is being furnished throughout in the most luxurious style, and when completed will have double the accommodation of the present Theatre, and will be one of the most comfortable and up-to-date Halls in the United Kingdom.
A Balcony is being erected, and will be approached from the Vestibule by a handsome staircase, leading into a sumptuous Tea Room, Foyer, and the latest thing in Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Cloak Rooms.
A great speciality has been made of the Ventilation and Heating arrangements. Fresh warm air in winter and fresh cool air in summer will be pumped into the Theatre at the rate of 2,000,000 cubic feet per hour. The vitiated air will be drawn off at the floor level, so that no smoke or impure air can possibly ascend. The whole of this will be accomplished without the least draught.
An entirely new operating chamber has been constructed with all the latest in the way of machinery for the projection of as nearly a stereoscopic a picture as it is possible.
The lighting effects being installed embrace the most modern and best known scientific combinations of colour which, in addition to pleasing the eye, will have a beneficial and soothing effect.
The sale of the Shares appears to have been a great success and the Theatre continued to flourish. The new Vaudeville Theatre opened on 26th September 1921 with Mary Pickford in “Pollyanna”.
By the mid 1920s William was not in the best of health and made the decision to move from Reading to Bournemouth.
In December 1926 William White passed away at the age of 76. His funeral took place in Reading on January 8th, and he was buried in Caversham Cemetery. William Brinn did not attend the funeral due to his health.
In 1927, William underwent what was described as a serious operation. The nature of the operation is not known but on the 9th of March 1928, William passed away. His funeral took place at St. Mary’s Church in Reading, and he was buried in Reading Old Cemetery.
The following month at the meeting of Reading Town Council, the Mayor, Mr. J. Rabson, made mention of William and the following was reported in The Reading Standard on the 7th of April:-
THE LATE ALDERMAN BRINN
The Mayor, before the ordinary business of the meeting was commenced, said it was again his sorrowful duty to refer to the passing of a friend and colleague. Since their last meeting they had lost Mr. Alderman W.J.J. Brinn who for nearly 38 years had been closely connected with the corporate life of Reading. He moved that they record on the minutes the profound regret with which that had received the intelligence of the death of Alderman Brinn, and their high appreciation of the services which he had rendered as a member of the Council, and that a letter of sympathy be sent to the bereaved family. The resolution was carried by the Council standing.
In the same newspaper, William’s widow, Fanny, had a personal message printed:-
MRS. JUSTINS BRINN wishes to thank all friends for their kind sympathy in her great sorrow, also for beautiful letters and lovely flowers received.
Bournemouth
March 30th, 1928
Probate was heard on May 10th in London. His effects were recorded at £21,512 5s 5d. In today’s terms this amounts to £1,693,635.
Fanny did move back to Reading at some point. In 1939 she is shown as residing at ‘Nairn’ 32, Clevedon Road, Reading. Fanny died on September 23rd 1940. Following her funeral she was also buried in Reading Cemetery with William.
Very little is known about their niece Edith Sabine COX. After leaving school she became a book keeper and in 1901 was living and working in London. In 1909, she was living in Mortimer where she died. It was reported that she died after a long illness patiently borne. Edith is buried with William and Ann in Reading Old.
Division 68, Row E, Plot 18