On the Ypres Menin Gate, Belgium is the name of Captain Claude Wreford-Brown, D.S.O., serving with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Northumberland Fusiliers who died 24/05/1915.

The son of the late William and Clara Jane Wreford-Brown, of 5, Litfield Place, Clifton, Bristol. he served with the Nile Expedition 1898 (Battle of Khartoum); occupation of Crete 1898; South Africa 1899-1902; North-West Frontier of India 1906-1909. He was an Instructor R.M. College, Sandhurst.

Claude Wreford-Brown was born on the 17th February 1876, at 5 Litfield Place, Clifton, Bristol, the 5th son of the William Wreford-Brown, (who died in 1915), and his wife Clara Jane, daughter of Henry Clark, M. D., they resided at 5 Litfield Place, Clifton, Bristol.

Claude was educated at Waynflete, Durdham Downs, Wells House, Malvern Wells and Charterhouse. It is recorded that a Claude Wreford-Brown played for Clifton [Rugby Football club] on 11th March 1893 v Taunton (Away) and 1st April 1893 v Bath (Home).

He enlisted in to the 4th Royal Warwickshire Regiment Militia where he was commissioned into the 1st Battalion, 5th Northumberland Fusiliers on the 15th May 1897. In 1898, he was serving in the Sudan Campaign, under Lord Kitchener, and was at the Battle of Omdurman and the capture of Khartoum. Received the British and Khedive Medal with clasps.

He was wounded at the Mohmand Frontier with a Captain Allen. Seven years later he met Wreford-Brown on the day he died as they were passing.

On the 24th November 1899, he was promoted to Lieutenant, then Captain on the 15th April 1901.

In 1898 he was involved in the occupation of Crete.

He served throughout the South African War of 1899-1902, [with the Northumberland Fusiliers] under Lord Methuen, including the advance on Kimberley, including the actions at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River and Magersfontein. Afterwards he took part in the operations in the Orange Free State (March to May 1900) and in the Transvaal (July to November 1900), including actions at Venterskroom and Rhenoster River.

He was twice mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 9th July and 10th September 1901]. He also received the Queen’s Medal with 4 Clasps and the King’s Medal with three Clasps. In addition, because of his services at Lichtenburg was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, [London Gazette, 27th September 1901]. Claud Wreford Wreford-Brown, Lieut., Northumberland Fusiliers In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.

He was selected to represent his regiment at the Coronation of King Edward VII. In April 1908, he was serving in the North West Frontier in India, in the Mohmand Campaign Claude was seriously wounded. Again he received the King’s Medal and one clasp.

Claude was also an English International, Oxford, half back, cap gained in 1889, and a Corinthian, was also a keen Soccer enthusiast.

Back in the UK, he was appointed an Instructor at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, on the 15th February 1912.

On the 17th February 1915 he joined his regiment then based in France.

Captain Claude Wreford-Brown was killed on the Menin Road, south of Ypres, 200 yards east of Wieltje Farm, north of Hooge, on Whit Monday, 24th May 1915. He was unmarried.

His regiment had been practically wiped out on the 13th, and when he heard of this he insisted on leaving Boulogne, where he was in hospital, and going back to reform the regiment. He arrived at headquarters west of Ypres, Friday, 21st May, and there found 85 worn-out men of his battalion, and about 450 of the 5th Fusiliers and Durham Light Infantry and 15 officers, a new draft which had just arrived, all from the same depot These he formed into a Battalion., and on Sunday, 23rd May, was ordered to join the Brigade-only two clear days to form a new regiment! They marched between 15 and 29 miles on a sweltering hot day, losing several men on the way under shell fire. They arrived at [the] Menin Road on Monday (Empire Day) the 24th. They then were ordered into support at 6am. Wreford-Brown was commanding.

At about 1 pm, he received orders to advance to a certain point and attack a position which was allotted to him. The battalion shortly after leaving its support position came under heavy fire, and for a distance of two and a half miles across country of open fields of buttercups, was continually under high explosive fire and shrapnel, machine and rifle fire. The regiment was formed up for the attack on the ridge they ad took, but with very heavy casualties. Ten of the officers were wounded in this, leaving Wreford-Brown and two lieutenants. These and the remaining men dug themselves in, and on getting to the ridge they found the Germans very strong in a farm called Wieltje, [sic] {actually was Wittepoort Farm}, it looked as if the Germans were on three sides of them. The regiment on the right could not be found, and two companies of the 5th were taking on three miles of Germans. At 7 pm he sent word as to his position and the heavy casualties. The answer came back:-You must try and take it and hold it at all costs. One of the captains in the firing line who was wounded and lying in a ditch reports that Wreford-Brown told him to go back to hospital, and congratulated him on getting back to England wounded, and said:- Good-bye, old fellow, I shall not see you again. I am ordered to attack the place, it is hopeless, but I shall lead my men to it and with that he turned to his men and called for a rifle and bayonet and said Now we will make the final charge of the Mohicans, which he did, leading his men.

The Germans had 20 to 25 machine guns concentrated on them. Wreford-Brown fell 10 yards from the German trench mortally wounded. The remaining Lieutenant {2nd Lieutenant Freeman?}, reformed for a second attack and got wounded, the remaining few retired back to the trench behind the hedge, which they had dug after gaining the ridge. Only one officer got back safely, and he was with the machine gun a long way behind which did not come into action. The regiment on the right had been delayed and came up afterwards. In the opinion of all he was shot several times and was certainly killed. Several attempts were made to recover his body, but it lay between two German trenches, and it was impossible owing to their withering fire.

The Commander-in-Chief came round himself and thanked the survivors for their Bravery.

His brother officers bore general testimony to his capability and great courage.

His family grave is in Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol, UK.

His brother, Captain O. E. Wreford died on the Somme on the 7th July 1916.

Source De Ruvigny Roll of Honour

Charterhouse Register Volume 1, 1872 to 1900, Oration Quarter 1890:- Werford Brown, Claude. born 17th February, 1876: 5 son of William Wreford Brown, of Clifton, (Gownboys), left OQ 1892, joined 4th Warwickshire Militia and 5th Northumberland Fusiliers 1897, served in Soudan campaign 1898, Occupation of Crete, 1898-99, S African War 1899-1902, D.SO. Capt, served bin Mohmand Expedition, severely wounded 1908.

The Daily Record Friday, 04/06/1915 reports:- A younger brother to Wreford-Brown, the old Cartusian and English “soccer” International half-back, has been killed in action. Claude Wreford Brown, D.SO., was a captain in the Northumberland Fusiliers.

Birmingham Daily Mail Thursday 03/06/1915 reports Claude getting wounded

Western Daily Press Tuesday 31/08/1915, had a heading Local Wills :- Captain Claude Wreford Wreford-Brown D.S.O., of 5 Litfield Place, Bristol, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, was the fifth son of the late William Wreford-Brown. He was killed in action on the 24th May last, leaving estate of the gross value of 7,816 10s.

His brother Rev Gerald Wreford-Brown conducted the service at the dedication of the Ushaw Moor War Memorial to his two brothers who were killed in action.

There were 6 brothers in all, Major W.H. Wreford-Brown, Rev. Gerald Wreford-Brown, 2nd Lieutenant Oswald Eric Wreford-Brown and 2nd Lieutenant J.N. Wreford Brown, and Charles Wreford-Brown (9th October 1866 to 26th November 1951) who captained the England national football team and was a county cricketer during the Victorian age, and later acted as a sports legislator during the 20th century. See his photo 2nd and 5th photo down on the right. He also attended Charterhouse School.

Source: Charterhouse Archives Christine with thanks

Claude Wreford-Brown is remembered at Alnwick in A11.43 page 5, at Ushaw Moor on U8.05, also the Charterhouse School War Memorial.