William Charles Brown
William Brown was a labourer when he joined the army before the Great War and a Nottinghamshire police constable when recalled from the Reserve.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
William Charles Brown was baptised on 21st March 1888at Swaffham, Norfolk, he was the son of George a farm labourer and Emma Brown nee Bunnett of Norfolk.
His father George was born in 1860 at West Raynham, his mother Emma Bunnett was born in 1861 a Atleborough, Norfolk, they were married on 14th October 1882 in Norfolk, they went on have 9 children his siblings Maud, Lucy, Fred, Ruth, Edward, Robert and Matilda Brown.
In 1891 and 1901 the family lived at Helhoughton Norfolk.
In 1911 William was serving with 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade at The Citadel Cairo.
William Charles Brown married Alice Mabel Howden born 29th August 1888 in 1914 their marriage was recorded in the Gainsborough registration district, they lived 17 Ebor Street, Selby, Yorkshire, they have two children, Monica Alice born 23rd March 1915 and William Charles born 21st May 1916.
Commencing 21st August 1916 his widow was awarded a pension of 18 shillings and 6 pence a week.
He rejoined the army from the Reserve on 4 August 1914.
Private William Charles Brown enlisted at Fakenham, Norfolk whilst residing at Selby, he served with the 3rd battalion Rifle Brigade, he was killed in action on 6th February 1916 and is buried at Menin Road South Military Cemetery Grave Reference: 1 F 15
He qualified for the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Evening Post (15/4/1916) (Courtesy of Jim Grundy):
'The deaths in action of two Nottinghamshire police officers, Walter Slater and William Brown, were marked at a meeting of the county police authority at the Shire Hall on 15th April 1916.
NOTTS. POLICEMEN KILLED IN ACTION.
MEETING OF THE STANDING JOINT COMMITTEE.
Lord Galway presided over a meeting of the Notts. Standing Joint Committee at the Shire Hall to-day. [15th April 1916]
In his quarterly report, the Chief Constable (Capt. Tomasson) stated that 404 persons were apprehended by the police, of whom eight were discharged, 392 summarily disposed of, and four committed for trial.
Police-constables Walter Slater and William C. Brown, who rejoined their regiments on August. 4th, were killed in action — Slater [1] on October 24th, 1914, and Brown [2] on February 6th 1916. Regret was also expressed at the death of Sergt. Wm. H. Chapman, who, when cycling on duty at Teversal on February 16th, collided with a telegraph pole and was killed. He had served over 17 years, and the Chief Constable recommended that his widow be granted a pension of £15 a year, and his four children £2 10s. year each until they reach the age of 15. The death also took place on Feb. 27th of P.c. Enos Leivers, who had served over 27 years, and the recommendation was that his widow, Annie Leivers, be granted a gratuity of £205 6s. 3d. being one month's pay for each completed year of approved service. Constables G. P. Sissons and Walter Fielding had ceased to be members of the force, and he recommended that the ratable deductions made from their pay be returned to them from the Superannuation Fund. Sanction was asked for telephone extensions at Kimberley, Nottingham, Collingham, Retford, and Beeston.
The report was adopted.'
1] L/Cpl. Walter Slater, King's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, was killed in action, aged 21, on 29th October 1914. The son of James Slater, of 26 Sutton Road, Huthwaite, he is commemorated on the Menin Gate.
[2] Sgt. William Charles Brown, Transport Section, 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade, was killed in action on 6th February 1916. He is buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery; husband of Alice Mabel Brown.
[3] 'Nottingham Evening Post,' 15th April 1916.
Above information is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
Photo of William Charles Brown
Menin Road South Cemetery courtesy of the cwgc