Wilfred Brown
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the son of Arthur G and Sarah A E Brown and the brother of Edith, Arthur, Gordon, Dorothy and Albert G Brown. In 1910 they lived at 31 Edward Road Knighton Leicestershire. In 1911 Wilfred was serving with 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters in Devon.
Wilfred Brown enlisted at Derby on 26 May 1909 in Special Reserve, Sherwood Foresters. He was 17 years 9 months of age and 5 feet 5in tall. He was sent to 4th Extra Reserve battalion on the same day for training. His address was given as Bobbers Mill Nottingham. On 12 November 1909 aged 18 years and 2 months and employed as a Waiter, he enlisted in the Regular Army and on 27 December 1909 he was posted to 3rd reserve battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nott's and Derby Regiment) and on 3 January 1910 he was posted to the 2nd battalion based in Devon. He remained with the battalion for two years and completed his 3rd class education certificate on 29 April 1910 and a course at Longmoor Camp - 5/10/10 to 31/1/1911 before being posted to the 1st battalion in India. On 27 February 1914 he was struck down with Malaria and was in hospital until 13 March 1914. It was stated that he probably contracted it at Colaba about 20 February 1914. Wilfred sailed with the battalion at the outbreak of war and they arrived in the UK in October 1914. After reorganisation and getting the battalion up to strength, they sailed for France and arrived at Le Havre on 4 November 1914. On 27 February 1915, Wilfred was given 21 days Field Punishment No 1 for being out of bounds, drinking in a café and being drunk. 11th March 1915 - Neuve Chapelle - (war diary entry) "10 a.m., C Coy, advanced N.E. through the orchard on the left of our line and occupied some broken down houses. Lt Weigall killed in this advance. Weather fine but dull. Battalion shelled throughout the day by the enemy. 4 p.m., D Coy. charge enemy's breastworks but suffering heavy loss from machine gun fire is forced to abandon the enterprise. Capt. Stackhouse and 2/Lt. Coxon killed, 2/Lt. Burton I/c Grenadiers and 2/Lt. Waters wounded. Capt Hodgson wounded early in the morning, Capt Webb at midday. 4.30 p.m., 2/Lt Webster in afternoon and Major Mortimore at 4.30.p.m., Command now devolves on Major Morley. 12 Midnight Draft of 25 men join the Battalion" At some point during the day Wilfred was killed and he has no known grave. John Morse
12/10/1915 his personal property - Princess Mary Gift Box- was sent to Mrs Jane Brown 38 Bovill Street Radford Nottingham.
