Name
William Brown
15 Apr 1882
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/03/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
101654
Royal Garrison Artillery
11th Siege Battery
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 1
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Letchworth Town Memorial,
Church of St Nicholas Memorial, Norton
Pre War
William Brown was born on 15 Apr 1882 (baptised 21 May 1882) in Dumfries to James Brown, house painter and Margaret, known as Maggie (nee Guthrie).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, William, Julia (born 1884), Mary (born 1888), Joseph (born 1889) were living at 143, High Street, Dumfries.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, William (apprentice painter), Julia (fish shopkeeper), Mary, Joseph, Lizzie (born 1891), Margaret T (born 1895), and Jessie (born 1899) were living at 38, Munchies Street, Dumfries.
Not found on the 1911 Census.
William married Wilhelmina Edgar on 16 May 1915, there were three children William (born 5 Apr 1914), James Hymes Edgar (born 13 May 1915) and Wilemina (Minnie, born 11 Apr 1918). They lived at 126, Rushby Mead, Letchworth.
Wartime Service
William was enlisted in the Royal Garrison Artillery as Gunner 101654 on 5 Jun 1916 at No 1 Depot (Fort Burgoyne, Dover). On 24 Jul he was posted to Tynemouth Garrison and on 26 Aug 1916 to 217 Siege Battery RGA. On 20 Nov 1916 he was posted to B Depot followed by promotion on 26 Feb 1917 to Bombardier. In Apr 1917 he was shortly with 419 and 416 Siege Batteries, and on 29 Apr promoted to Acting Corporal, & on 17 May to Acting Sergeant. He moved to 11 Siege Battery on 8 Aug 1917 and his rank was confirmed on 20 Sep 1917.
11th Siege Battery consisted of 4 – 6inch Howitzers (later on personnel from 416 Siege Battery joined and a further 2 Howitzers were added).
He was posted Missing on 24 Mar 1918 and his death presumed to have been on 21 Mar 1918. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered in the Arras Memorial. His death was confirmed Gnr J R Simpson as being 21 Mar 1918
.Additional Information
War Gratuity of £12 10s and arrears of £5 5s d was paid to his widow, who also received a pension of 32s/week for herself and children.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Dan Hill, Jonty Wild
