Robert William Brown one of 7 children, the youngest of 3 brothers he had 2 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father John Brown Snr was born in 1858 at Bellingham, Northumberland and married at the age of 22-years in the district of Hexham, to Annie Steele, born 1861 at Wark, Northumberland. Their daughter Mary Ann and son Henry were born at Slaley in 1881 and 1885 respectively, also Jane in 1886 who sadly died aged 1-year 10 months, March 12th 1888 at Blanchland, while Annie was pregnant with their fourth child, she was interred at The Church of St. Mary Churchyard, Blanchland, John Jnr was born during the 3rd quarter (July/Aug/Sep) 1888. Their third daughter, who they chose to also name Jane, was born in 1890 whilst they were still living in the village of Blanchland, where John Snr was employed as a mason. Over the next ten years they had a further two children, Robert William in 1892 and Elizabeth 1895. John Snr supported his younger children as the only breadwinner, Mary Ann (19) was employed as a housemaid, one of 4 domestic servants and lived in the home of merchant Robert Farrow, his wife Rhoda, sons Robert and Arnold and daughter Susan, at Woodside, Sunderland, Henry (16) was a boarder in the home of stud groom James Watkin and wife Dora at Dovecote, Stannington, Henry was employed as a groom. John Brown Snr (48) died, June 16th 1906 and interred in the family plot within St. Mary’s, Blanchland. By 1911 Mary Ann (29) had returned to the family home although still employed as a waiting maid, John (22) had followed in his father’s footsteps to become a stone mason, Robert William (18) was a general labourer, all three supported their mother Annie and sister Elizabeth (16), Henry was living in 2 rooms at Mitford, Morpeth, which he shared with chauffeur Albert Edward Dunn, he was employed as a coachman, the whereabouts of Jane are unknown.

December 8th 1915, gardener and horseman Robert William Brown enlisted, aged 23 years and 2 months, giving the name of his mother Annie Brown as nest of kin. Assigned to the Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 168150, he posted initially to the Army Reserve until July 25th 1916 he was mobilised and posted to the 25th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. The battalion was formed at Pocklington, East Yorkshire, May 1916, as a labour corps, made up of men rated medically unfit for service in the front line. These men did not carry any weapons or receive any combat training. The 25th D.L.I. in spring 1917 became known as the 7th Labour Corps. Having risen through the ranks, Corporal Brown was assigned to the 7th Labour Corps, classified as Medical Category B. 2, “able to walk (not march) 5 miles, see and hear sufficiently for ordinary purposes.”

Corporal Robert William Brown served for the duration of the war in the UK and was transferred after the Armistice of November 11th 1918 to Class Z, December 27th 1919, free to return to his home and employment but under the obligation to return to his unit at Ripon should hostilities with Germany resume. This was abolished with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, June 28th 1919, which brought WW1 officially to an end. Not eligible for any medals.

His elder brothers also served Henry Brown with the Army Veterinary Corps, sadly Private John Brown Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action June 21st 1916.

Further details as regards Robert William Brown, as yet unknown.

Annie Brown nee Steele (77) died, August 11 1938 and interred with, “her beloved husband,” and daughter Jane in the family plot, St Mary’s, Blanchland. The headstone also makes reference to the death of their son John during WW1.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.