Pte John Brown

 

His father was born in Ormskirk, and his mother in Waterford, Ireland. They married in 1892 and had four children. John had an older sister Mary, born in 1893 (although she is not found with the family on censuses; she married in Surrey in 1918), Catherine (Kate), born in 1895, and a younger sister Annie, born in 1900.

 

In 1901 the family is living at 15 Beaconsfield Road, Walton (off Rice Lane opposite the hospital, where Sainsbury’s is today) with three children in the household.  His father is an engine shed labourer, John is 4.  

 

They are still at 15 Beaconsfield Road in 1911.  His father, 45, is a farm labourer, his mother is 50, and Kate is 17, no occupation. John is listed as 16 (he would have been 14), working as a shop boy (groceries), Ann is 11.  (His parents’ and Kate’s ages are also inconsistent on censuses.)

 

He enlisted in Liverpool on 22nd September 1914, as Private 17783, 19th (Pals) Bn., King’s Liverpool Regiment, giving his age as 19 years and 20 days (in fact he was six weeks past his 18th birthday).  He is described as being 5’ 8” tall, weighing 134 lbs, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.  He gives as next of kin his father John at 15 Beaconsfield Road.

 

The battalion underwent initial training at Knowsley Camp near Liverpool.  While there, on 30/1/1915, John was confined to barracks for 14 days and forfeited two days’ pay for not complying with an order, leaving camp without permission and remaining absent until the next day.  On 30th April 1915 the Pals battalions left for Belton Park in Lincolnshire, and in September moved to Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain for final infantry training.  Whilst at Larkhill, on 15/10/1915 John was improperly dressed on parade.  No punishment is recorded in his record, “disposed of by O.C. Coy”

 

John did not ship out to France with the rest of his battalion on 07/11/1915, instead he was posted to the 22nd (Reserve) Battalion, reason not stated.  

 

He was posted to the 20th (Pals) Bn on 20/12/1915 and embarked for France the next day.

22/12/1915 joined I.B.D. roll of reinforcements

07/01/1916 to No.2 Entrenching Bn

26/5/1916 proceeded to join 20th Bn K.L.R.

 

John would have seen action with the 20th Bn at the Somme during July and at Arras and Passchendaele (Third Ypres) in 1917.

 

21/8/1917 granted leave to U.K.

30/8/1917 returned from leave 

 

07/02/1918 posted to 18th (Pals) Bn K.L.R. following the disbandment of the 20th Battalion in France

14/5/1918 joined ‘G’ I.B.D.

30/5/1918 posted to 1/5th Bn K.L.R.

 

John was killed in action on 04th August 1918, aged 22. 

He now rests at Houchin British Cemetery where his headstone bears the epitaph:

“R.I.P.”

The cemetery was opened in March 1918 when the 6th Casualty Clearing Station came to Houchin. From April to September the German advance made Houchin unsafe for hospitals, and the cemetery was used by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division. In September 1918, the 6th Casualty Clearing Station returned to Houchin and was joined by the 15th CCS in October. Houchin British Cemetery contains 700 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and two from the Second World War. There are also 39 German and one Belgian war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

His parents placed a notice in the Liverpool Echo on 24th August 1918:

“Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of Lance-Corporal John Brown, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Brown 15 Beaconsfield Road, Walton, killed in action in France, August 4, 1918.”  (His record shows no mention of promotion.)

 

John earned his three medals.  His mother was sent his personal effects in December 1918:  1 Identity disc, 1 Photograph, 1 Diary, 2 Wallets, Wristwatch & part of strap & protector, Religious book, 3 Coins, 2 Rosaries (broken), 3 Badges, 1 Y.M.S. card, 2 Religious emblems, 2 Numerals, Purse, Cards.

 

She wrote in response how thankful she was to have received her son’s belongings, but was very sorry not to have received his ring or paybook giving details of his postings, death, etc.

 

John’s Memorial Plaque and Scroll, and his Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £18-10s, went to his mother.  The pension card shows that she was awarded a pension, amount not specified.

 

His father appears to have died in 1934.  

 

In 1939 his mother Mary, 73 and incapacitated, is living at 8 Rycroft Road, Fazakerley, with married daughter Annie and her family.  Mary died in 1940.

 

John is commemorated in Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 13 Left.

 

 

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.