Herbert Claud Brown
- Family History
- Military History
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Herbert Claud Brown was born in 1888 at Thurlby. Lincolnshire, the son of William and Alice Brown (née Wade). His father William was born in 1858 at Thurlby and his mother Alice Wade was born in 1855 also at Thurlby. They were married in 1881 (reg. Louth registration district). and had eight children, sadly six were to die in infancy or early childhood. Their only two surviving children were Herbert Claude and Cecil William Wade b. 1892. In the 1911 census the family was living at Thurlby and shown as William 53 yrs a groom for a timber merchant, his wife Alice 54 yrs and their son Cecil William 19 yrs a waggoner at a timber yard. Herbert Claude 22 yrs, had left the family home and in 1911 was a draper and tailor's traveller, lodging at 36 Cranmer Street, Nottingham, with his uncle and aunt, Archibald Davidson 48 yrs, a draper and tailor, and Rebecca Davidson 52 yrs. Herbert married Agnes Mary Chesher on 12th May 1913 at Nottingham. They went on to have two children, Herbert Claud born 1913 and Cecil William George born in 1916 who died of pneumonia aged 2 yrs on 31st August 1918. The family was living at 67 Welbeck Street, Nottingham, at the time of Herbert's death and this was still Agnes' address when the later CWGC record was compiled. Following Herbert's death, his widow Agnes was awarded a pension of 26 shillings and 8 pence for herself and 15 shillings in respect of her child; first payment made 17th February 1920.
Lance Bombardier Herbert Claud Brown attested at Northampton giving his address as 40 Newlands, Northampton. He was 28 yrs and 221 days, occupation tailor's manager. His next of kin was his wife Agnes Mary of the same address. He was posted to the Reserves the following day. He was mobilised on 25th September 1916 and posted to the 4th/1st Siege Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery. Herbert landed in France on 3rd February 1917 and served in France until 26th April 1918 when he was admitted to hospital after being gassed. He was transferred to England on 29th May 1918 and admitted to the Stoke upon Trent War Hospital then to the Red Cross Hospital. On 16th November 1918 Herbert was transferred to a convalescent hospital. He was demobilised on 27th January 1919. Herbert died on 18th October 1919 at Nottingham General Hospital and was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery with full military honours. (Grave reference: 13098)
CWGC Additional information: 'Son of William and Alice Brown, of Thurlby, Lincolnshire; husband of Mary Agnes Brown, of 67, Welbeck St., Nottingham.' Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 18 October 1919: 'Brown. On October 18th at the General Hospital, Bombardier HC Brown Royal Garrison Artillery, of 67 Welbeck Street, Nottingham, age 30, Military funeral, General Cemetery (bottom end).' Nottingham Evening Post, 22 October 1919: ‘RGA Bombardier’s Funeral in Nottingham. The funeral of Bombardier HC Brown, RGA, 67, Welbeck-street, who died in the Nottingham General Hospital on Saturday, took place at the General Cemetery to-day. The service was conducted by the Rev. AT Adamson [cemetery chaplain], and the firing party and bugler came from the 6th Battalion KOSB’, Clipstone Camp.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
