Philip Ernest Bree

Philip Ernest Bree

This page is based on an article by Francis Corbet in Volume Two
of A Biographical Dictionary of Jersey.

Philip Ernest Bree was the son of Philip John and Mary Ann, nee Le Riche. He was born at Fauvic Villa, St Clement, on 24 July 1870. The family moved to La Sente, Grouville, soon after. After attending Carlton House School and Victoria College he joined his father in farming.

The fame of their cattle was such that, when on a visit to the USA with other States members, Bailiff Alexander Coutanche was shown an entry in the American Jersey Cattle Society's Columbus headquarters records of the export of La Sente Royal Lydia to America in the 19th Century.

Farming and farm animals always remained very important to him and among stories which he told of his early years as a farmer was one that, while vraicing with some other men at La Rocque, they were caught some distance from the shore in a sudden dense fog, and successfully relied on their cart horse to bring them safely home.

He was a member of the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society and for some time president of the Jersey Farmers Union.

In 1893 he married Lizzie Siouville and they had one son and one daughter. Lizzie died in 1918 and in 1925 he married Phyllis Good, formerly headmistress of the Jersey Ladies College, who also predeceased him.

He became a Methodist preacher on the French circuit in November 1890 and travelled all over the island by pony trap to conduct services. In the 1950s he was the last surviving local preacher in French, having achieved 70 years service.

In 1919 he was elected Deputy of Grouville and continued sit in the States after is election as Jurat in 1929. In 1935 he was appointed Lieut-Bailiff, an office which he retained until his retirement from active politics in 1946, when he was made OBE.

On 24 June 1940, under threat of German occupation, the States constituted eight departments of Government, each composed of a president and two other States Members. The eight presidents, together with the attorney-General and Solicitor-General, under the presidency of the Bailiff, formed the Superior Council. Philip Bree was chosen as president of the Finance Committee and of Public Instruction.

Under his leadership and schools remained open and equipped throughout the Occupation. He retained this presidency until succeeded by Senator John Le Marquand in 1959.

After his death on 30 December 1960, in his 91st year, tributes were paid to him in the States and La Rocque Methodist Church was far too small for the large number of family, States Members and parishioners who attended his funeral.