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Mary Brereton (1839–1923)

The death occurred yesterday morning, at her residence Osgathorpe, Brereton's Hill, Gladesville, of Mrs. Le Gay Brereton, relict of the late John Le Gay Brereton, M.D., one of the leading medical practitioners of his day in Sydney, and a man of great literary attainments. The deceased lady, who was in her 85th year, was born in Middlesex, and was a daughter of the late William Tongue, civil engineer, of London. She came to Australia with her late husband over fifty years ago. Mrs. Brereton took a great interest in the work of public charitable institutions and patriotic movements, particularly associating herself with the Home for Incurables at Ryde and Free Kindergarten work. She was president of the Surry Hills Free Kindergarten for many years. She leaves five sons and two daughters. The sons are Mr. Victor Le Gay Brereton. O.B.E., one of the examiners of titles in the Registrar-General's Department, and Judge Advocate-General for the Commonwealth Military Forces; Mr. Ernest Le Gay Brereton, B.Sc, demonstrator in chemistry at Sydney University; Professor John Le Gay Brereton, Professor of English at Sydney University; Mr. Wilfred Le Gay Brereton, lecturer and fruit expert in the Department of Agriculture, and Mr. Geoffrey Le Gay Brereton, a grazier at Junee. The daughters are Mrs. R. D. Fitzgerald and Mrs. W. A. Windeyer. The funeral will leave Mrs. Le Gay Brereton's late residence at 3 o'clock this afternoon for the Field of Mars Cemetery.

Original publication

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Brereton, Mary (1839–1923)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/brereton-mary-16455/text28414, accessed 19 March 2024.

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Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Tongue, Mary
Birth

31 January, 1839
Middlesex, England

Death

1 July, 1923 (aged 84)
Gladesville, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

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