The knives branded Brownhill & Morgans seem to derive from a partnership between Herbert Brownhill and Edward John Morgans.  Neither has been identified as a manufacturer but appear to have been involved as merchants who possibly sold knives branded with their name but bought in from a local manufacturer in Sheffield.

Herbert Brownhill was living in 1911 at 37 Abbey Lane, Woodseats and was listed in the census as a mercantile clerk.  He was born in Sheffield in 1881 the son of Herbert Brownhill, a compositor.  He married Isobel Henstock (1891-1974?) at Gleadless Christ Church on 22 Aug 1910.

Edward John Morgans was born on 29 Sep 1884 in Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire and was living at 12 Harbord Road, Woodseats, Sheffield in 1911 with his wife Edith Ophelia née Rochmann (1886-1957).  He was listed as an Advertising Manager.  His home address was located very near to Herbert Brownhill.  Although born in Scotland his father was a Post Office sorter from Bermondsey in London.

Edward John Morgans did not stay in Sheffield long and the family had moved to London by the early 1920s and was living in Wembley.

Although research has not found evidence of joint business activity, they are recorded on the same passenger list with wives and children on a ship called the 'Almanzora' which sailed from Southampton to Lisbon on 27 Jun 1936.  They may have remained friends even though by 1936, Morgans was living at 27 Acacia Road, St Johns Wood in London whilst Brownhill remained in Sheffield at Buck House, Gleadless (manifest says Greenhess which appears to be a misspelling).  Morgans is listed as a company director and Brownhill is listed as Merchant.  In 1939 Morgans is still living at 27 Acacia Road and is listed as a managing director of a group of retail stores whilst Brownhill is listed as an Oil Merchant living at Cavendish Avenue, Sheffield.  Information from Charles Wilmoth, Edward’s grandson, verified that they were partners in the oil company.

Morgans eventually had cash to buy a one third share in Daniel Neal, the children's school outfitters, for which he became managing director.  Daniel Neal was eventually subsumed in the John Lewis Partnership in 1963.

Morgans died on 25 Jan 1955 at Jordans (near Chalfont St Giles), Buckinghamshire leaving £35,075 and Brownhill died in Apr 1946 in Sheffield.  Morgans’ wife, Edith, died 25 Jul 1957 in Poole, Dorset leaving £32,697.