Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George William Brown born at Prudhoe in 1897, was one of 6 children of whom only 3 survived, his brother John was born in 1899, sister Eva 1901. His father William Brown of Chester-le-Street and mother, widow Hannah Horn of Birtley, both in County Durham were born 1863 and 1857 respectively and married in the district of Chester-le-Street in 1895. William’s first wife had died and their child Hannah born 1880 also, in infancy. Hannah Horn had two children from her previous marriage, Robert born 1882 and Hannah 1890.
Living at 27 Hylton Terrace, Pelton in 1901, William was employed at the colliery as a banks-man above ground, by 1911 he was an underground examiner, George William (14) worked above ground as a token boy, his brother John Stockdale (12) and Eva (10) were scholars. William Brown died in 1912 aged 50 years of age.
George William left his employment as a coal cutter and was attested December 10th 1916 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and posted to the Army Reserve as Private 76121 4th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment at Hartlepool. Mobilised May 3rd 1918, permanently assigned to the 5th Battalion Duke of Wellington (West Riding Regiment),146th Brigade, 49th Division, with a change of service number as Private 35621 he departed for the Western Front joining his regiment in the field. Wounded in action, a shrapnel wound to the chest, he was evacuated back through the lines to the 5th Field Ambulance Station where he died of his wounds September 28th 1918.
Private 35621 George William Brown was initially buried in the area surrounding the 5th Field Ambulance Station near Havrincourt. At the beginning of October 1918 Lowrie Cemetery was made up by the 3rd Division Burial Officer and named after him. Used for the original 211 burials, after Armistice graves were brought in from the surrounding area, most of whom had died during September 1918. The remains of Private Brown were exhumed and brought into Lewis Cemetery, Havrincourt, France, for reburial with all reverence by an Army Chaplain. He is at rest grave C. 26., at the time of his demise he was 22 years of age and single.
His mother Hannah received all monies due to him, a pension, his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. His personal effects consisting of, discs, letters, photos, cards, wallet & fold book, metal cigarette case, metal watch (broken) & chain, pencil, fountain pen, 2 titles, 2 purses, spectacles (broken) in case, match box cover, scissors, cap badge and handkerchief were received by her February 21st 1919 at her home address of Hylton Terrace, Pelton, County Durham. Hannah commissioned at a cost of 3 shillings 6 pence an additional inscription to be added to her son’s military headstone, it reads, "Nearer To Thee."
Hannah Brown-Horn died in 1932 aged 76 years registered in the district of Lanchester, County Durham.
In Gods safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George William Brown is remembered at Pelton on P26.01 and P26.06
