Name
John William Brown
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/05/1915
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
1566618
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 10 and 11.
France
UK & Other Memorials
St Andrew's Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Charles and Sarah Ann (nee MILES) BROWN.
His parents married 31 May 1884 at St Mary’s, Watford. Sarah died 1937 in the Watford district aged 72.
John was born 7 April 1893 in Watford, and baptised 7 May 1893 at St Mary’s, Watford. He attended Watford National School; then Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 1 May 1902 to 24 July 1903. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 8 he lived in Watford, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1911 Census, a carman aged 17, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and six siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914 Star medals, his qualifying date being 2 November 1914, and was killed or died of wounds received in action. The Battle of Festubert had commenced 16 May 1915, in which the whole Battalion was involved. “B” and “C” Companies on vacating the trenches to the assault were met by heavy shrapnel,machine gun and rifle fire. “A” and “D” Companies formed up in support, moving up into new line as places were vacated by “B” and “C” Companies. It was an unsuccessful attack.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
