No.120825, Sapper, Frank BROWN
Aged 38
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Frank BROWN was born on December 24th 1877 (Risbridge Q1-1878 4A:485), baptised in St Mary's , Haverhill on 24th February 1878, son of
Marcus and Harriett BROWN (née SCOTT).
His father was born in Manuden, Essex, a carpenter, who married Harriett SCOTT in the register office of Pancras, Middlesex on 5th September 1870. His grandmother Martha BROWN had been the widowed landlady at the Marquis of Granby in Helions Bumpstead in the 1861 census. By 1881 his father had a building business employing 12 men. 1881 census...Aged 3, he was at Camps Road, Haverhill with his father Marcus BROWN, [31] builder born Essex; his mother Harriet [33]; brothers John Albert [10] and Arthur Russell [9]; sisters Eva Ellen [6], Amelia Ann [4] and Alice Maud [10 months]. All except his mother were born in Haverhill 1891 census...Aged 13, he was still at Camps Road with his parents; sisters Eva (dressmaker), Amelia (apprentice to dressmaker) and Maud; brothers Bertram [7], Marcus [6] and Percy [4], all three born in Haverhill. 1901 census...Aged 22, he was a carpenter, boarding at 72 Maldon Road, Colchester with the Bradford family. His mother was at 74 High Street, Haverhill visiting the PANNELL sisters, Caroline and Hannah. His father recorded as a brickmaker-employer was visiting in Market Street, Newmarket On 24th December 1905 at St Giles.Colchester, he married Sarah Jane COE [8-11-1880] and initially lived at West Bergholt, where their first child, John Arthur, was born 1911 census...Aged 33 a carpenter, he was at 129 Bergholt Road, Colchester with his wife Sarah Jane [30] born Colchester; their son John Arthur [26-2-1907] and daughter Eva Adrey [16-4-1909]. His widowed mother was at 66 Mill Road, Haverhill with his brother Bertram (joiner). All the siblings survive. His father's death has not been found. Frank and Sarah set up home later at 1 Market Place, St Peter's Street, Colchester and went on to have 5 children, John Arthur [26-2-1907], Eva Audrey [16-4-1909, Reginald Marcus [26-5-19111911], Vera [18-2-1914] and Jessie Jane [20-12-1915] It may be thought that this conviction refers to Frank, so much of the detail does fit, but their daughter Vera was born in February 1914. His Army papers do not include the usual identifying features such as tattoos. |
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He enlisted in Colchester on 12th December 1915 and was placed in the Reserves, then mobilised at Chatham on12th January 1916. He gave his
age as 38 years, married, a carpenter/joiner of 1 Market Place, St Peter's Street,Colchester. He was 5 feet 3.5 (161.3 cm)inches tall,
weighed 135 lbs (61.4 kg), chest 35" to 37" (88.9 to 94 cm). He arrived in France on 25th July 1916, to base depot 1st August 1916 and joined his unit in the field on 2nd August. Just five weeks later he received wounds to left leg, right arm, head and face on 5th September. A telegram from No 7 General Hospital, Rouen, was sent to his wife on 7th September informing her that he had been wounded, was dangerously ill and denied permission to visit. That was followed by a telegram on 8th, from No.8 General Hospital, Rouen saying he had a fractured skull and was dangerously ill. This was followed on 16th by another from No.8 General Hospital, Rouen, informing her of his death at 11:15 pm on 15th. His widow Sarah, now living at Victoria Place, Eld Lane, Colchester was awarded a weekly pension of 27 shillings (£1.35) for herself and the five children. South West Suffolk Echo of 23rd September 1916 reported:- "Sapper Frank Brown, of the Royal Engineers, third son of Mrs Marcus Brown of 66 Mill Road, was wounded on the 5th Inst. and died on the 15th. He was 39 years of age. His company war diary for the 5th September has:- "MINDEN POST - 5th - C.R.E. 16th Div. took over from C.R.E. 20th Div. Coy ordered to take over from 83rd Coy and work with 48th Bde on consolidation of GUILLEMONT. No infantry carrying or working parties available. Coy improved existing trench. Lt J.C.MOAKES and No.1345324 Sap HILL E. killed by shell. No 98282 Spr JONES W.E., No.98231 Spr FEARNLEY J., No.120825 Spr BROWN F.,No.65318 Spr PEARMAN H., No. 83039 Pion WHITTAKER j., wounded by shellfire. No 103875 L/Cpl DUNNING J.,No 97933 Spr CORRANCE H., wounded at duty".
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