Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: P. Priano
Ypres Reservoir Cemetery: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph Brown, one of 10 children of whom only 6 survived, was the eldest of 2 brothers and had 4 sisters. His father Henry Brown was born August 16th 1864 at Newfield and baptised at Bishop Auckland, County Durham, October 17th 1864, where he married in 1884 to Rebecca Stephens of Newfield born 1862. They settled at Newfield where Rebecca gave birth to daughters Mary Elizabeth in 1884, Annie 1886, who unfortunately died aged 7 years in 1893 and Joseph 1888, Henry supported his family employed as an engine driver/fireman at the colliery. Over the next 10 years they had a further 3 daughters, Barbara, Frances and Florence born 1892,1895 and 1898 respectively and son James in 1902. They had moved by 1911 from 7, Bank Terrace into 4 rooms at 7, Wear Street, Newfield, Joseph (22) had joined his father at the colliery employed as a shunter, his younger siblings were scholars, Mary Elizabeth had left the family home.
When war was declared in 1914 Joseph was still single and living with his parents at Hutton Terrace, Willington, County Durham, employed as a locomotive fireman. He was one of the first to enlist, November 19th 1915, at West Hartlepool, assigned as Private 367 Durham Light Infantry to the newly formed 22nd Battalion (Durham Pioneers). The battalion was handed over to the War Office, March 9th 1916, moved to Scotton Camp, Catterick, March 22nd and after a short period of intensive training departed to France, June 16th 1916, from Southampton landing at Le Havre just prior to the commencement of the Battle of the Somme. The offensive was planned for June 29th, however, delayed by bad weather it was rescheduled for July 1st 1916, on the eve of battle, June 30th, Private Brown made a will leaving all his effects to his father Henry. The Pioneers were attached to the 8th Division and engaged carrying supplies to the forward lines and the wounded back to the dressing stations. Near La Boisselle while setting up a field dump the first 5 casualties of the battalion were wounded. Late October they lost 30 men digging communication trenches and carrying wounded for the 5th Division. Transferred to the Belgian salient during early 1917 the battalion spent the summer digging-in and laying railway track in preparation for the forthcoming attacks during the 3rd Battle of Ypres which began July 31st and lasted until November 10th 1917. The 22nd, subjected to mustard gas attacks, shelling, battling through the rain and mud remained on the Ypres salient until the Germans once again attacked on the Somme, March 28th 1918.
During his service Private Brown had risen through the ranks and was officially appointed paid Lance Corporal, July 1st 1917. Lance Corporal 22/367 Joseph Brown was killed in action, November 30th 1917 and interred at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium, grave III. A. 12. alongside Private Edward Henderson D.L.I. of Haswell, County Durham. Joseph was 29 years of age.
His father received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to him at 6, Prospect Place, Willington, County Durham. His mother commissioned at a cost of 4 shillings 8 pence an additional inscription to be added to his military headstone, it reads, “Rest In Peace.”
Details as regards the demise of Henry Brown and Rebecca Brown nee Stephens, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Joseph Brown is remembered at Willington on W120.02 and W120.05
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 324
