L/Cpl 49033 John Brown

• Age: 28
• From: Blackburn
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 28th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Cherisy Rd East Cem, Heninel
  Panel Ref: 29

John Brown was born in Blackburn in 1889, the son of James Brown and his wife Margaret (nee Thaell). James and Margaret married in 1878 in Salford.

On the 1901 Census he is aged 12 and living at 90 Fitzwarren Street, Pendleton. His father, James, is a 48 year old merchant tailor born in Ireland, his mother Margaret is aged 38 born in Scotland. His siblings are recorded as; Annetta 21 elementary teacher b.Manchester, May 18 book keeper b.Manchester, Gertrude 16 b.Blackburn, Emily 14 b.Blackburn, Lillian 13, Walter 11 b.Pendleton, David 6 b.Pendleton, James L. 6 b.Pendleton, Margaret 3 b.Pendleton, Charles mths b.Pendleton. 

The 1911 Census shows that John is aged 22 and a tailors cutter, still living at 90 Fitzwarren St, Pendleton. His widowed mother Margaret Brown is aged 48  she states that she has had 12 children 10 of whom have survived. John's siblings still at home are shown as; Walter 20  a tailoring trimmer, David 18 an electrical engineering improver, James Laurence 16 a solicitors clerk, Carl B M 10 at school, Annetta 29 elementary teacher, May 26, Emily 24 manicurist, Lillian 13 at school.

John was living in Pendleton, Manchester when he enlisted in Salford, joining the Lancashire Fusiliers as Private 35081. He was transferred to the 17th Battalion, The King's Liverpool Regiment and was serving as Lance Corporal 49033 when he was killed in action on 28th April 1917, aged 28.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to his mother Margaret.

John's younger brother James Lawrence Brown was killed in a flying accident whilst serving with the Royal Flying Corps on 29th March 1918. He was 23 years of age. His aircraft was FE.2b (B1900) which crashed at Dunn's Farm, Elsham, Lincolnshire on 26 March 18. 2nd Lt. James Lawrence Brown died on 29th March 1918 in Grimbsy Military Hospital of the injuries he had sustained in the crash. He now rests at Weaste Cemetery, Salford.

John and James are both remembered on the Family Grave in Weaste Cemetery, Salford which reads:-

James Brown Died ? (inscription weathered)

and Margaret Brown Died (inscription weathered)

Also Lance Corporal John Brown Died On Active Service April 28th 1917 Aged 28 Years

2nd Lieut. James Lawrence Brown R.A.F. Died In Service Of His Country March 29th 1918 Aged 23 Years

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