Heslop's Local Advertiser
John William Brown
Dunhallow Cemetery
Dunhallow Cemetery
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John William Brown born March 10th 1895 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland was the only son of John Brown native of Ireland born 1852 and his wife Jane Spoors born 1857 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. His father was employed as an engine fitters labourer when in 1901 they were living at 3, Low Friar Street, Newcastle, he died in 1902 aged 51 years when John William was 7 years old. His mother remarried at Gateshead in 1903 to John Alexander Bruce born 1876 at Tain, Ross-Shire, Scotland. In 1911 they were living at 66, Wellington Street, Felling, near Gateshead, County Durham. John Alexander was employed as a wireman for the National Telephone Company, John William (16) was a billposter working for the General Billposting Company, later employed by The General Post Office as a wireman. (The General Post Office was established by Charles II in 1660 and after the invention of the telephone functioned both as a postal system and telecommunications until 1969).
On the outbreak of war he enlisted at Darlington, September 3rd 1914, assigned as Bombardier 27291 to the Royal Field Artillery, “A” Battery 46th Brigade, raised as part of Kitchener’s First New Army. He departed May 19th 1915 with the British Expeditionary Force to France. The 46th Brigade was attached to the 28th Division, June 17th 1915, formed from regular army battalions returned from, India, Singapore and Egypt. During 1915 they moved between France and Belgium until they departed, October 1915 for Egypt.
Bombardier 27291 John William Brown Royal Field Artillery was killed in action August 30th 1915, his body buried on the battlefield by his comrades and marked with a cross bearing his military details. August 8h 1919 his body was exhumed and brought into Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, along with those of 5 others from various map locations. He was reburied there with all honour and reverence by the Army Chaplain, he is at rest, grave VII. E. 10. He was 20 years old and single.
His mother received all monies due to him and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her at 66, Wellington Street, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
His death was reported in Heslop's Local Advertiser 10/09/1915.
John William Brown is remembered at Felling on F32.22
