Chester-le-Street Chronicle 22/11/1918

Moorseele Military Cemetery

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

Richard Brown, was the youngest of 8 children, 4 sons and 4 daughters, born to Thomas Brown of Serbergham, Cumberland, where he was baptised July 13th 1837 and his wife Margaret Carrick of Dalston, Cumberland, born 1842, whom he had married in the district of Carlisle in 1863. Their eldest child Mary was born at Dalton in 1865, however, they migrated to the north east where William was born at Sunderland in 1867, John 1869 at Leadgate, Durham, Ann 1871 at Sunny Side, Crook and Billy Row where her father was employed as a coal miner. By 1874 when daughter Margaret was born they had moved to West Auckland, Hannah and Thomas were born at Close House, Durham in 1876 and 1879 respectively. In 1881 they were living at High Gurney Villa, Coundon Grange, Thomas had been joined at the mine by eldest son William (14) a driver, John (12) a labourer, the younger children were all scholars. Between 1881 and 1888 they had transferred to South Shields where Richard was born in 1888, returning to 48, Hildyard Terrace, New Shildon, by 1891. Thomas, son William (24), John (22) were now all employed as coal hewers, Ann (20) as a dressmaker, Margaret (17) remained at home with her mother looking after Thomas (12) and Richard (3). Over the next 10 years at some point Thomas and his wife separated, Margaret lists herself as a widow in the census of 1901 and had moved to Beechgrove Terrace, parish of Edmondsley, supported by sons Thomas (22) and Richard (13) employed as coal miners. Her husband Thomas (63), now retired, still listed as married, had moved to 6, Gullock Street, Wingate, where he was a boarder in the home of coal miner John Henderson and family.

Margaret Brown nee Carrick died in the district of Easington, County Durham in 1904.

Richard Brown married in the district of Lanchester, County Durham in 1909 to Alice Jane Cartwright of Craghead, County Durham born 1890, in 1911 they and their 1-year-old daughter, Olive, were living at 3, Barbers Houses, Edmondsley, where Richard was employed as a coal hewer. Son Thomas was born during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1913 and Richard Jnr. the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1915, just prior to his father’s departure for the Western Front.

Richard enlisted as Private 1077 assigned to the 19th Northumberland Fusiliers, his military record could not be found, however, his service number indicates he enlisted in 1914, rising through the ranks to Corporal.

The 19th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers was a Pals regiment raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, they went to the front January 29th 1916 attached to the 35th Division. The division fought during the Battles of the Somme 1916, Third Battle of Ypres 1917, First Battle of the Somme 1918 and the Final Advance in Flanders September 28th - November 11th 1918. The offensive began October 14th 1918 with an attack from the Lys river at Comines. With little resistance from the Germans the British advanced at 100 yards a minute reaching the high ground by evening which dominated the southern area and to the north Moorseele. The British advance continued in the following days resulting in the capture of Courtrai.

Corporal 1077 Richard Brown Northumberland Fusiliers was killed, October 19th 1918, on the last day of the Battle of Courtrai and is interred at Moorseele Military Cemetery, West Vlanderen, near Ypres in Belgium, grave D. 8.

His widow Alice Jane received a pension for herself and their children and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at Barbers Buildings, Block Houses, Edmondsley, County Durham.

Richard’s brother Thomas Brown also served during WW1, he survived the conflict and was discharged in 1919.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

The Chester-le-Street Chronicle 15/11/1918 carries a death notice – Brown Killed in Action in France October 19th aged 31 years, Corpl. Richard Brown NF dearly loved husband of Alice Jane Brown of Barker's Buildings Black House Edmondsley.

The Chester-le-Street Chronicle22/11/1918 carries an item about Richard and a photograph. – The wife of Corpl. Richard Brown NF Barker's Buildings Black House Edmondsley has received information of the death of her husband in action on 19th October. Prior to joining up he was employed as a miner at Craghead Colliery and was a member of the RAOB. He leaves a wife and three children.

Richard Brown is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04

His name is listed in the historical records of the 19th Battalion NUT256

The CWGC entry for Corporal Brown