BROWN, James


No.26085., Guardsman, James BROWN
Aged 35


2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards
Killed in Action on 27th August 1918


James William BROWN was born in Barrow (2nd qtr 1883 Thingoe 4a:633) son of Emma BROWN.

1891 census...Aged 7, he was at 11 The Street, Barrow with his mother Emma BROWN [38] tailoress; sister Agnes [11]; brothers Arthur [2] and Frank [14 days]. All were born in Barrow.

1901 census...James has not been identified in this census. His mother had married in 1899 and was at Barrow Green with her husband George ADKIN [48] farm labourer; brothers Arthur and Frank

1911 census...Aged 27, a farm labourer, he was boarding with his mother Mrs Emma ADKIN [58] born Higham, and his brother Arthur [22]. His father was lodging in Bury St.Edmunds at 16 Mustow Street with George and Elizabeth GREEN



He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds.

The battalion were formed up between St Leger and Mory at sun up on 27th August, No 4 Coy were at MORY SWITCH with No.1 Coy in Reserve. Zero was 7 am and a barrage was put down on a line 500 yards in front of the leading Coys. Within a few miuntes of starting they were suffering from heavy machine gun fire from Germans in BANKS TRENCH and BANKS RESERVES.
With a frontage of 1500 yards the situation was of the utmost difficulty. The battali0on was forced to try and consolidate what ground they had managed to take. By evening the opposition slackened, it seemed as if the Germnas were withdrawing. The morning of the 28th confirmed that the Germans had indeed been forced to withdraw.

CWGC records the battalion had suffered 85 killed on 27th.



James was found here and re-interred in 1920


photo CWGC

James Brown is buried in Mory Abbey Military Cemetery, France 4:D:10

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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