apostrophe problem

Is the aposthrophe required in this sentence?
Bill and Mary are Mr. Brown’s children.
Is this correct?
Mr. Brown’s children are Bill and Mary.

[westwind]

Yes, siree. You've just hit the nail right on the head!

[Don Silbers]

If I may be so bold... what makes you so sure?

[westwind]

Originally Posted by Don Silbers

If I may be so bold... what makes you so sure?

Well, excuse me for breathing! Did I give the wrong answer to the above question? If so, would you mind sharing your BRILLIANT answer with us then?

[Don Silbers]

Forgive me, I haven't been clear enough obviously.
I do not know whether the sentences are correct or not - they might be but there again something seems to be amiss and I can't put my finger on it. I'm just surprised that others seem to think they're ok as they stand.

Thank you for your reply, I'm simply wondering if your judgement is to be relied on.

[Mariner]

Allow me to bring this crisis to an end...

Is the aposthrophe required in this sentence?
Bill and Mary are Mr. Brown’s children.
YES

Is this correct?
Mr. Brown’s children are Bill and Mary.
YES

The apostrophe is required in order to indicate whose children they are. Without it, the sentence would be Bill and Mary are Mr. Brown children, which, although borderline grammatical, it is very strange and as a premodifier of children it would imply that they belong to a religious cult called "Mr. Brown" or something

[Don Silbers]

Thank you Mr/Mrs Mariner.

Beautifully said.

What was concerning me - which with your kind assistance I am now getting to grips with - is why it is felt necessary to indicate something at all when the sentence's meaning is clear enough without an apostrophe. Thank you for making me realize that to others it may not be quite so clear. I had not taken into consideration that in the future 'Mr.Browns' could be a name of some awful disease in which case Bill and Mary might be very grateful for an apostrophe.

I pronounce this crisis over.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Don Silbers

Thank you Mr/Mrs Mariner.

Beautifully said.

What was concerning me - which with your kind assistance I am now getting to grips with - is why it is felt necessary to indicate something at all when the sentence's meaning is clear enough without an apostrophe. Thank you for making me realize that to others it may not be quite so clear. I had not taken into consideration that in the future 'Mr.Browns' could be a name of some awful disease in which case Bill and Mary might be very grateful for an apostrophe.

I pronounce this crisis over.

I disagree that the sentence is clear without the apostrophe. The person's last name could be "Browns".

[Don Silbers]

Mr. MikeNewYork,
I disagree too - which is something I also thought was clear.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Don Silbers

Mr. MikeNewYork,
I disagree too - which is something I also thought was clear.

Good. Then, you're right. The crisis is over.