Pte 49099 Herbert Allan Brown

• Age: 30
• From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 8th June 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Herbert Allan was born in Birkenhead on the 28th November 1886 the twin son of George Henry Allan Brown and his wife Frances Alice Poppy (nee Short) who was born in Auckland, New Zealand in 1862. His parents married at Christ Church, Bootle in 1885. His twin brother being George Allan Brown. Herbert was baptised at St Catherine's Church, Tranmere on the 13th April 1887.

The 1891 Census shows the family are living at Sidney Road, Tranmere. His father George H. A. is described as an Artist/Pottery painter born at Sea in 1861. His mother Alice is shown as being born in New Zealand in 1863. His siblings are George, Harold A b.1888 and Alice A b. 1891. There is also a Servant declared.

His sister Alice died, aged 9, in the June quarter of 1899. 

By 1901 the family have moved to 12 Trafalgar Drive, Lower Bebbington. His father advises that he is a painter (artist) born in India. Also present are his mother brothers George and Harold and a sister Hilda born 1893. 

By the time of the 1911 Census the twins are now living at 46 Trafalgar Drive, Bebington. His father, George H.A., is now 49, an artist, his mother Alice is 49, they advised that they had been married for 25 years and have had five children, four of whom have survived. The children declared in the household are;  George A. 24, a student sculptor, Henry A. 24, a clerk for a saw mill, Hilda A. 18.      

Herbert enlisted in Birkenhead originally serving as Private 4601 with the Cheshire Regiment. He was subsequently transferred to the 17th Battalion of The Kings Liverpool Regiment as Private 49099.

He was posted overseas on the 11th October 1916, arriving on the 22nd October with A Coy, of the  17th K.L.R.

He received 7 days Field Punishment No.1 for a misdemeanour in the trenches.

He suffered with myalgia on the 03rd April 1917 and received hospital treatment, rejoining the Battalion on the 08th May 1917.

Herbert was killed in action on the 08th June 1917, aged 30. 

The 17th Battalion diary gives details of his loss:

SUPPORT TRENCHES PEPERINGHE - ABEELE AREA

8TH -9TH

Battalion in Front and Spport lines.(B & D Coys. in front line).

11.30 PM Relief commenced by 2nd Bn R.S.F. Battalion less one coy. marched to Vlamertinghe, and entrained for Poperinghe. Detrained at Poepringhe and marched to Billets in Area between Poepringhe and Abeele.

6.30 AM  Arrived in Billets. ("B" Company remained in Front Line attached to 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regt).

Casualties 8/9-6-17 killed 4 O.R. Wounded 11 O.R. 

Herbert Allan Brown was one of the 4 O.R. referred to. His body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as he has no known grave and his name is recorded on the Menin Gate at Ypres in Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

His death was reported in the Birkenhead Advertiser on 25th July 1917

Rank and File - Killed

King's Liverpool Regiment - Brown, 49099, H.A., Lower Bebington.

A Birthday remembrance notice was placed in the Birkenhead News on 01st December 1917

Roll of Honour

BROWN - November 28th, in proud and loving birthday remembrance of Private Herbert Allan Brown K.L.R., late Cheshire's, who was killed in action in Belgium, June 8th - 46 Trafalgar Drive, Bebington.

Soldiers effects and pension to his mother Alice.

Herbert sang in the choir at St Andrew's Church for many years and a marble memorial plaque was placed inside the church with the inscription:-

"To The Memory Of

Herbert Allan Brown

Who For Many Years Sang In

This Choir And Who Was Killed In

The Battle Of Ypres June 8 1917

Whilst Serving As A Private

In The 13 Btn Cheshire Regt"

He is also commemorated on St Andrew's Church Memorial Board 1914-18 and the Lower Bebington Methodist Church Memorial.

His twin brother George served as Gunner 128692 Royal Garrison Artillery, service records exist, address 46 Trafalgar Drive, Bebington.

We currently have no further information on Herbert Allan Brown, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

 
Grateful thanks are extended to Dave Horne, author of the book "Lower Bebington's Fallen 1914-19 A Sacrifice Supreme", for the newspaper cuttings, service information and memorial details.