Brett Williams (The Military Workshop) (1 Viewer)

[Mark IV]

Please accept my apologies for using the forum for this notification, but I wish to communicate some sad news particularly to those Australian collectors that have dealt with Brett and those on the forum who have interacted with him.

Brett pasted away on Sunday night .

Brett and Gerelou were the people who got me involved in this Hobby and I will miss seeing him on most Saturday mornings and my heart breaks for Gerelou's loss.

I'm waiting to be advised of funeral arrangements and happy to communicate those to anyone that is interested.

Regards
Mark

 

[villagehorse]

Unbelievable, this is so sad and unexpected. This is a shock. Robin.

 

[OzDigger]

Mark that is heartbreaking news, it brought me to tears. I have known Brett for over 20 years, he also got me into collecting King & Country. Almost every trip to Brisbane to see my sons I would drop into Brett's, usually on a Saturday morning to do some buying or trading. I was looking forward to seeing him next Saturday to collect a JJD set as I hadn't seen him for a while. WOW I still find this hard to take in, it's really shocked me. My heart goes out to Gerelou and Brett's family.

 

[waynepoo]

Mark rang me last evening with the sad news, I am also in total shock. Will miss him and Saturdays in the shop greatly. We would chat and debate about all manor of subjects, and I am heartbroken for Gerelou...

 

[Obee]

Like you others, I've also known Brett for about 20 years, and he's been my supplier over much of that time.

I had planned on seeing him again in the new year when we are heading to Qld.

Sincere sympathy to Gerelou and family.

John

 

[jazzeum]

That is quite a shock. My condolences to his family.

 

[Warrior]

This is terrible news, he and I corresponded quite a bit on and off the forum about all things toy soldiers among other things, just had a chat with one of his customers who's been buying items from me on Ebay and he told me Brett had just sold him some other sets he was looking for.

I'm truly stunned, saddened and shocked to hear of this, condolences to his family.

 

[sapper]

With great sadness i'm replying to this news. I'ts going to leave many in a state of shock and a huge loss for the hobby. R.I.P Brett. Regards Greg.'

 

[King & Country]

Please accept my apologies for using the forum for this notification, but I wish to communicate some sad news particularly to those Australian collectors that have dealt with Brett and those on the forum who have interacted with him.

Brett pasted away on Sunday night .

Brett and Gerelou were the people who got me involved in this Hobby and I will miss seeing him on most Saturday mornings and my heart breaks for Gerelou's loss.

I'm waiting to be advised of funeral arrangements and happy to communicate those to anyone that is interested.

Regards
Mark

Hello Mark,
Like many others I have just heard the terrible news of Brett’s sudden death.
Even now I cannot quite believe it…Back in July we met up in Brisbane for the beginning of the K&C annual ‘OzTour’ and it was one of the very best in which Brett and his loving wife Gerelou played a very important part.

Brett and myself had another very important link as we had both been officers in The Royal Hong Kong Police and often shared happy memories of that amazing city and the huge impact it has had on both our lives and subsequent careers.

As the owner and guiding spirit of an incredible toy soldier shop in Brisbane and the man behind our K&C Events there over a large number of years his passing will be deeply and personally felt by his many friends and collectors not only in that great city but all over Australia.

All of us K&C in Hong Kong and San Antonio send our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Gerelou and Brett’s family and friends down under….He was taken from us far too soon and will be sorely missed.

Sincerely yours,
Andy C. Neilson.

 

[Desertkiwi]

Please accept my apologies for using the forum for this notification, but I wish to communicate some sad news particularly to those Australian collectors that have dealt with Brett and those on the forum who have interacted with him.

Brett pasted away on Sunday night .

Brett and Gerelou were the people who got me involved in this Hobby and I will miss seeing him on most Saturday mornings and my heart breaks for Gerelou's loss.

I'm waiting to be advised of funeral arrangements and happy to communicate those to anyone that is interested.

Regards
Mark

I'm honestly struggling with this deeply saddening news and still numb after hearing about it from you last night mate......

Was introduced to Brett about 20yrs ago and through him and attending all those amazing K&C dinners in Brisbane got to meet and greet a bunch of dodgy Aussie's the odd ex Brit, plus the lovely Gerelou.

I know all you guys will be hurting right now.

In the tradition of the ANZAC spirit, as your Kiwi cobber, I'm thinking of you all during this difficult time.....

 

[joesgis]

This is horrible, tragic news. Brett touched so many. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP Brett.

 

[sfarrelly]

Thats terrible news. He really loved toy soldiers. Bought lots of stuff from him.
had planned a trip to see him next year. how old was he ?

 

[wayne556517]

Brett and I never saw eye to eye but when we did I enjoyed his phone calls, I to am shocked and saddened to hear the terrible news condolence to his family.

 

[larso]

I think it's been about 30 years for me - from back when he had two shops? I used to buy books from him too, when he used to stock those. Yes, he was always keen to chat about events in the news. He had some strong opinions and this ruffled other's feathers at times but I always found him interesting and informed. I was writing to him last week about an order and I've just read again his cheerful reply. A real shock.

 

[Gunn Miniatures]

Sad news about Brett, he was a great friend of the company and will be sorely missed

 

[OzDigger]

I think it's been about 30 years for me - from back when he had two shops? I used to buy books from him too, when he used to stock those. Yes, he was always keen to chat about events in the news. He had some strong opinions and this ruffled other's feathers at times but I always found him interesting and informed. I was writing to him last week about an order and I've just read again his cheerful reply. A real shock.

I can't recall Two shops, I can remember one shop being next to a war gaming shop, not sure how long ago that was or what suburb. Although never being interested in politics myself I usually enjoyed such discussions with Brett.

 

[jazzeum]

Hopefully this is not in poor taste but what was the cause of Brett’s death? Was it a heart attack?

 

[Julie]

Sad news! I did not know Brett well, but we corresponded from time to time on business matters.

Julie

 

[larso]

Yes, next to the war gaming place was one and the other was essentially in the Enoggera we all came to know so well. I thought it odd he had two places only 10 minutes or so apart from each other. Brett told me his visa (or something?) was contingent on two sites and the associated extra employee.

 

[gremell]

Please accept my apologies for using the forum for this notification, but I wish to communicate some sad news particularly to those Australian collectors that have dealt with Brett and those on the forum who have interacted with him.

Brett pasted away on Sunday night .

Brett and Gerelou were the people who got me involved in this Hobby and I will miss seeing h

Yes, next to the war gaming place was one and the other was essentially in the Enoggera we all came to know so well. I thought it odd he had two places only 10 minutes or so apart from each other. Brett told me his visa (or something?) was contingent on two sites and the associated extra employee.

Like everyone here, I'm shattered by this news.

Please accept my apologies for using the forum for this notification, but I wish to communicate some sad news particularly to those Australian collectors that have dealt with Brett and those on the forum who have interacted with him.

Brett pasted away on Sunday night .

Brett and Gerelou were the people who got me involved in this Hobby and I will miss seeing him on most Saturday mornings and my heart breaks for Gerelou's loss.

I'm waiting to be advised of funeral arrangements and happy to communicate those to anyone that is interested.

Regards
Mark

Like everyone here, I'm shattered by this news.
I only saw Brett 14 days ago when I dropped into his shop to collect another John Jenkins US cavalry figure.
He always had time for a chat about what I was collecting and military history in general.
I've known Brett since he first arrived in Brisbane. Back in the early days, I would visit his shop very infrequently.
However, my redundancy/retirement in mid 2020 during the height of Covid gave me more time for collecting.
This year, I have visited Brett's shop every month to buy John Jenkins figures.
I'd often thought about bringing my eight-year-old grandson into Brett's shop for a look but decided against it because the temptation to touch things would be too much. There's not much room to move around in there.
On one of my previous visits, Brett recalled his experiences of children in his shop, including the occasional tantrum, and wives buying secret presents for their husbands.
One story, in particular, touched my heart. A husband had always wished for a framed copy of a well-known painting of a famous military figure. He'd seen one of these come into stock in Brett's shop but decided against buying it because he thought his wife would not approve of the expense. His wife knew he'd always hankered for this portrait, so she dropped into Brett's shop and bought the painting. She then hung it on the wall of his study as a birthday surprise.
Farewell, Brett. We'll miss you.