Tom Brown
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of Thomas and Sarah Ann Spencer Brown (nee Horner) Born First Quarter 1876 St Helens, Worcester On 1881 Census he is living with his parents and siblings – Robert Mark and William Hadley – at High Street, Worcester. His father is listed as a draper. Not shown on 1891 Census with family who are still at St Helens, Worcester. Probably serving with his Regiment Not shown on 1901 Census – probably in South Africa with his Regiment. After service in the Boer War, he joined the Midland Railway Company and moved to Westhouses, Derbyshire. He later worked at Toton, Nottinghamshire. He married Marion Elizabeth Shaw at Blackwell, Derbyshire in Second Quarter 1909 On 1911 Census he is living with his wife and daughter Alice Spencer at Westhouses, Alfreton. He is listed as an insurance agent. They had 3 children, Alice Spencer born 1910, George born 1911 and Ethel born 1913
Enlisted August 1914 Misterton April 1915 - sailed from Avonmouth for service in Egypt Entered Theatre 27th April 1915 Landed Suvla Bay during night (17th/18th August 1915). Moved to Lala Baba (20th August 1915) Forward position at Chocolate Hill (21st August 1915). Took part in fighting for Scimitar Hill (21st August 1915) He was killed at Cannakale in Gallipoli on 22nd August 1915 Commemorated on Helles Memorial Panel 16
CWGC indicates served in the Boer War. The Derbyshire Times indicates that he previously served nearly 20 years with Worcester Regiment. This seems a little high as after the Boer War ie post 1902, he worked on the railway and at Prudential Insurance, where he was at in 1911, so to have served 20 years pre 1902 he would have had to have served from around 1882, which he would have been too young to have done. 1st Battalion served in India / Burma / Aden from 1881-1896 before returning to the UK and going to South Africa from Guernsey 2nd Battalion served in Ireland / Jersey / UK until 1895 when they went to Malta then Bermuda and Canada from where they went to South Africa 3rd and 4th Battalions were both raised in Ireland in 1900 so likely to have served with 1st or 2nd Battalion.
