Heslop's Local Advertiser
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Thomas Brown was born during April-July 1897 at Blyth, Northumberland, one of 7 children, 5 sons and 2 daughters. His father John Robert Brown was born 1863 at Felling, Gateshead and married at Houghton-le-Spring in 1883, Barbara Ann Matthews native of Penshaw, County Durham born 1862. John Robert was employed as a joiner when the family was living at Crowhall Lane Heworth in 1891, his eldest son Robert (15) in 1901 was employed as a house painter. By 1911 his father was still employed as a joiner for a builder, now aged 14 years Thomas was a labourer, his brother Joseph (23) a barman to a licensed victualler and John (21) also a labourer, as a family stating, “anywhere we can fit in”.
Thomas Brown enlisted at Felling, exact date unknown, assigned as Rifleman C/1646 Kings Royal Rifle Corps, 16th Battalion, attached to the 100th Brigade, 33rd Division. After initial training they moved to Rayleigh in March then returned to Denham in May, joining the division at Clipstone Camp in June 1915 and moved to Perham Down for final training in August. The main body of men departed to France, November 17th 1915 landing at Le Havre. where the division concentrated near Morbecque. Rifleman Brown was not amongst them, not having reached the age for service over-seas which was 19 years. Once turned 19, between April to July 1916 he joined the 16th Battalion in the field during the Battles of the Somme participating with the 33rd Division during the Battles of Albert, July 1st-13th and Bazentin Ridge July 14th-17th 1916.
Rifleman C/1646 Thomas Brown was killed in action July 15th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,246 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, pier and face 13A and 13B, commemorating officers and men from Great Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 and who have no known grave. Rifleman Brown was 19 years old and single.
His mother Barbara of Davison Street, Felling, Gateshead and his eldest brother Robert received all monies due to him and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His father John Robert Brown died in the district of Gateshead in 1919 aged 56 years, details of mother unknown.
CWGC have listed his mother as Elizabeth, this is refuted by the Register of Soldiers Effects and the 1891,1901 and 1911 census.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 18/08/1916:
Rifleman Thomas Brown, K.R.R.C., killed in action on 15th July, aged 20 years. Son of Barbara and the late Robert Brown, 27 Davidson Street, Felling."
The same edition reported:
"A memorial service to the memory of Rifleman Thomas Brown will be held at Christ Church, Felling, on Sunday night."
He is remembered at Felling on F32.07 and at Heworth on H92.03
