Reginald James, the third son of Albert and Louisa Brazenor, nee Reading, was born in 1908, at St Pancras, London. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living with his parents and siblings at 48 Crogsland Road, Chalk Farm, London, NW1. He is next heard of in 1925, when he enlisted in the British Army at Bloomsbury, Middlesex, stating his age as 19, and his occupation as van guard.
He signed up for four years service with a Territorial Unit, of probably the Royal Artillery. On 31 January 1926, he re-enlisted at Bloomsbury, this time to serve in the Royal Berkshire Regiment.
Sometime later he was posted overseas to the British Army in India, where he was to meet and later marry Moya Patricia O’G Peal. They were married at Agra, in early 1930, while Reginald was still serving in the Army. Shortly afterwards his Army service terminated and Reginald and his wife returned home to England. They embarked on the TSS “City of Poona”, at Bombay and arrived at Liverpool on 15 June 1930. Their intended address in England was 17 Harrington St, Hampstead, London NW1, and Reginald was aged 22 and his wife 24.
A little over seven months later, on 28 January 1931, Moya P Brazenor died aged 25, at 77a Highgate Hill, Islington. At an inquest into her death it was found that she died from an infection from a scratch to her chin from a kitten.
Her residence at the time of her death was at 69 Windsor Road, Islington and she was the wife of Reginald James Brazenor to whom probate Administration was given. She left an estate of 558 GB pounds, a considerable amount in 1931.
In the latter quarter of 1932, Reginald married Queenie Frances Clark at Hackney, London. From the electoral rolls, they were living in Islington in 1932, and at Tottenham in 1936 and 1938. They had at least two children born in London.
In 1951, Walter Robert Brazenor, Reginald’s elder brother, together with his wife Miriam migrated to Melbourne, Australia, where he found work as a carpenter. They were joining the millions of Britons who disenchanted with austerity in post- World War 2 Britain, decided to seek a better life and opportunities overseas, mainly in British Commonwealth countries. Reginald, Queenie and family followed them in 1952, departing from Southampton, on board the SS “Asturias”, on 22 August, arriving at Melbourne on 14 September. The Brazenor brothers and their families were living in the electoral area of Eltham, Victoria in 1954 and Reginald, who was employed as a bus driver, was to remain there for the rest of his life. Walter and Miriam returned to England in the mid – 1970’s with Walter living at Colchester, Essex, until his death there in 1983.
Reginald J Brazenor passed away in 1980, aged 72, and was buried at Templestowe, Victoria. His wife Queenie Frances joined him at Templestowe in 1990, aged 84. They represent the Brazenor contingent of the 1950’s wave of British migrants to Australia.
Brazenor 