In Heworth (St. Mary) Churchyard is the Commonwealth War Grave of 5/20329 Private John James Brown, serving with the 8th Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who died 01/02/1917.

He was the son of James and Hannah Brown, of Benwell, Newcastle upon Tyne and the husband of Elizabeth Brown, of 3, Field Street, Felling.

Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-

John James Brown was born in 1897 at Newcastle upon Tyne and baptised at St. Aidan, Benwell, February 3rd 1897, the only known son of James Brown born 1854 native of Newcastle upon Tyne and Hannah Smith born at Cullercoats, Northumberland in 1861. They were married in 1897, Hannah was a widow with three daughters from her previous marriage, Mary E. Smith born 1883 and Margaret Smith born 1885, both at Cullercoats, the youngest Violet H. Smith was born at Newcastle in 1889. John’s father worked as a copper smith, his mother was a fish hawker running a shop from their home at 8, Oak Street, Benwell, a suburb of Newcastle, assisted by her daughter Mary.

OnAugust 4th 1914 Britain declared a state of war existed with Germany. John James Brown enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne in 1915, assigned a Private 224902 to the Army Service Corp in reserve. Too young to serve overseas he remained in England at Rugeley Camp, Staffordshire. After his marriage during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) of 1916 to Elizabeth Steel the couple set up home at 3, Field Street, Felling. Having reached the age of 19 years and now old enough to serve overseas he was transferred as Private 29329 firstly to the 5th then on to the 8th Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. His military record no longer exists it is therefore impossible to follow his exact movements.

At the time of his demise he was in England. Whilst in Newgate Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, Thursday, February 1st 1917, he felt unwell and died soon after at the 1st Northern General Hospital, cause of death, heart failure due to a blood clot.

Private 29329 John James Brown was buried with military honours in the south part, Heworth St. Mary’s Churchyard, Gateshead, historically in County Durham.

In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.

Heslop’s Local Advertiser 23/02/1917 reports:
Pte. John James Brown of the Army Service Corps, who resided in Field Street, Felling, became suddenly unwell in Newgate Street, Newcastle, on Thursday Afternoon, Feb. 1st., and died soon afterwards. Deceased, who had only recently married, was buried with military honours at Heworth Churchyard on the Tuesday following.

Royal Victoria Infirmary Coroner’s Report No. 65 2nd February 1917 reports:
John James Brown aged 20 years. Private No. 224902 Army Service Corps, Motor Transport, Rugeley Camp, Staffordshire.

Home address 3 Field Street, Felling, died in 1st Northern General Hospital at 3.35pm on 1st February.
Deceased died from Heart failure consequent on the sudden blocking of the right Coronary artery of the heart by a blood clot.

His death notice was also reported in Heslop’s Local Advertiser 23/02/1917.

John James Brown is remembered at Felling on F32.06 and F32.24.