Brearley’s origins

Story: Burngreave Local History Group

Harry Brearley, who discovered Stainless Steel in 1913, was born on 18th February 1871 in a back-to-back off Spital Street, Pitsmoor, in what was known as a House, Chamber and Garret.

When the Sheffield Telegraph reported on the death of Harry Brearley on July 15th 1948, it stated:

“In June 1939, when he was made a Freeman of the City, he painted a drab picture of the little back room in a yard off Spital Street – a room 10 foot square – where he, his eight brothers and sisters, and his father and mother lived. His mother, he said, took in washing to help in the struggle to bring up her large family. ‘I feel that this Casket, signifying the Freedom of my native city, belongs to her,’ he said.”

The House where he was born has now been demolished. Burngreave Children’s Centre and Sheffield Medical Centre have been built on the site.

Harry’s school destroyed by fire

Harry went to Holy Trinity School and then Woodside Board School. In his autobiographical notes, he recalls that he had only an average schooling when he was young. Although he liked to read, there were no books at home. Harry went to school in a smock made of fine sacking and had a pair of clogs on his feet. His mother patched almost everything he wore until the original garment was unrecognisable.

Holy Trinity School was recently destroyed by fire. The school was adjacent to the Holy Trinity Church and Aizlewood’s Mill on Nursery Street. It had been boarded up for many years after being used as a factory. The Fire Service said the fire had been started deliberately. The building has since been demolished, but the lintel engraved with ‘Trinity Church Schools’ has been retained by Kelham Island Museum.