Eddie Castling & Andrew O’Sullivan have submitted the following:
BROWN, Andrew Norman
He was born 26/11/1892, the son of Joseph Brown (motor launch and pleasure boat proprietor) of Brown’s Boathouse, Elvet Bridge, Durham. He had a brother and two sisters.
He was admitted to the Durham Johnston School in 01/02/1905 at the age of 12 having previously attended the Boys Model School, Durham.
In 1911, he was a boat builder
He served with 6th Battalion DLI. (6th Btn trained in the UK and was sent to France in April 1915, taking part in Second Battle of Ypres; Battle of Flers-Courcelette (part of Battle of Somme); Battle of Arras; Third Battle of Ypres; Second Battle of Somme; Third Battle of Aisne).
He had the rank of Lieutenant and was then promoted to Captain following the award of the Military Cross.
He was awarded the Military Cross for ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was the only survivor of the company officers of the battalion and although badly shell-shocked, led his company to their battle position in the front line. When all his company posts had been annihilated, he took charge of another company which he commanded through the remainder of the operations, keeping battalion headquarters fully informed as to the situation’. This took place in April 1918.
He died on 27/05/1918, aged 26 during the Battle of the Aisne.
Medals: Military Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal
