No.11000, Private, Frederick BROWN
Aged 25
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A source for information regarding Frederick and his brother Edward can be found on this link click here to go to http://johndhb.me.uk/ftreebiogs/wardead/wardead3.htm Frederick Alfred Brown was born in Soham on 29th June 1891 (Newmarket Q3-1891 3B:516), baptised in Soham on 26th July 1891, son of George and Sophia BROWN (née JONES) of Clay Street, Soham. 1901 census...Aged 9, he was in Bushel Lane, Soham with his father George BROWN [35] a joiner; his mother Sophy [34]; brothers Edward [8] and George [2]; sister Louisa [4]. All were born in Soham. He was admitted to Soham Grammar school from Soham Board School, one of 7 "scholars" allowed, on 16th May 1904, aged 12 years 11 months, (source:- http://www.sohamgrammar.org.uk/go-to-admission-register.htm ) 1911 census...Aged 19, a market gardener, he was in Bushel Lane, Soham with his parents, brothers Edward (apprentice house painter) and George, and sister Dorothy Elizabeth [9] born in Soham. Sister Louisa was not at home, she was a domestic servant in Barway for Sarah Lister and her son Henry. He married Rebecca Deborah DRAYTON [13-6-1892] in Soham on 21st September 1911, They had 2 sons, Frederick Charles, born in Soham 30th September 1912 who died in Wisbech in 1931 aged 19. and Frank Ronald [21-5-1917] They had been living in Newmarket. His widow was living at 97 Norwich Road, Walsoken, Wisbech and re married in 1921 His younger brother Edward was killed in action in 1917 in Flanders. see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St Edmunds. The 1st East Surreys were working near Annequin, south of Festubert, just north east of Bethune, their war diary has the following:- 14th..Heavy rain in the early hours of the morning, Wind E. Attached platoons of 5/E Lancs were replaced by a fresh lot about 50 strong who are to stay 24 hours. Some Lewis Gunners and Signallers also appeared. These remain until their Battalion takes over this section. There was plenty of work to be done on communication trenches, as the rain had more than undone the efforts of the previous day. Unfortunately the Enemy's artillery was exceptionally active. Oxford and Cambridge Terraces were shelled throughout the morning and also Coventry Street. Our casualties were exceptionally high, being 3 killed and 5 wounded during the morning. Just before "stand to" a German came into our lines, he had lost his way and came up to Death or Glory Sap just N of the canal.......from the 16th Bavarian Infantry Regiment, an important identification...later gave information of an intended raid.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission and commemorated on the Soham war memorial click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
