Stanley Brown
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Stanley Brown born at Sunderland, one of 10 children of whom all survived, was the youngest of 6 sons and had 1 elder and 3 younger sisters. His father John Brown of Shalford, Essex, born in about 1859 migrated to the north east where he met and married Dorothy Ann Grieveson born 1863 at Hylton, Monkwearmouth, County Durham, they were married in 1880 in the district of Sunderland. Newly married they lived at 15, Chilston Road, Bishopwearmouth, with their new born daughter Ethel. John, a domestic groom/coachman was later in the employ of Sir William Theodore Doxford, iron shipbuilder, M.P. J.P. of Grindon Hall, Sunderland. John, his wife and children, Ethel born 1881, John Robert 1882, Frederick 1885, Edwin 1887 and Percy 1890, were living at Grindon Hall Lodge, Hylton Road in 1891. By 1901, although his employment was unchanged, they had moved to 12, Avenue Terrace, their family was now complete with the birth of Thomas in 1892, Stanley 1894, Dorothy 1897, Eveline born in 1900 and Bertha 1901. Their eldest son John Robert (19) was an apprentice shipwright, Frederick (17) an apprentice carpenter/joiner, they had also taken into their home Dorothy’s parents John and Dorothy Grieveson, John Grieveson was a shop owner specialising as a marine dealer. Having moved to 4, Holmside Terrace, Sunniside, near Gateshead by 1911, Stanley, now 17 years of age was their only son living at home, employed as a junior clerk, his father John (51) had continued to be a domestic coachman, together they supported Stanley’s mother, his 3 younger sisters and his cousin Mary Anderson (20) who had come to live with them.
August 6th 1915 the County Durham Recruiting Committee was asked by the War Office to form a pioneers' battalion. Stanley Brown resident of Iveston, was one of the first to enlist October 1st 1915 assigned as Private 490 Durham Light Infantry joining his regiment at West Hartlepool and posted to the 22nd (Durham Pioneers) Battalion. Officially handed over to the War Office March 9th 1916 the battalion was moved March 22nd to Shotton Camp, Catterick and after intensive training they left for France June 16th 1916 and arrived as preparations were underway for the commencement of the Battles of the Somme. The opening attack was scheduled for June 29th however it was postponed due to bad weather until July 1st 1916. July 2nd the 22nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry attached to the 8th Division was deployed carrying supplies forward to the front line and wounded soldiers back through the lines for medical attention, also digging new communication trenches for the duration of the battles.
Having risen rapidly through the ranks the now Acting Sergeant 22/490 Stanley Brown Durham Light Infantry was killed in action November 24th 1916 and interred at Guard’s Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France, grave III. Z. 6. His mother Dorothy as his sole beneficiary received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Stanley Brown is remembered at Iveston on I5.01 at Leadgate on L65.02 and at Sunderland on S140.036 and S140.048 part 2
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 321
