No.3608, Rifleman, Harvey BROWN
Aged 19
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Harvey William BROWN was born in Great Thurlow (Risbridge Q1-1897 4A:774), baptised in All Saints on 28th March 1897, son of
William and Laura BROWN (née HAYLOCK).
His maternal grandparents, William and Mary HAYLOCK were also Great Thurlow born, moving to Withersfield after marrying. His parents married on 5th July 1990 at Withersfield Church, and set up home in Withersfield, where their first two children were baptised, Lily May in 1892 and Cecil William in 1895. His father was the son of Matilda BROWN a waistcoat maker. His uncle William HAYLOCK was one time landlord at the Queen's Head, Great Thurlow 1901 census...Aged 4, he was at Chapel Farm, Little Wratting with his father William BROWN, [35]groom/gardener; his mother Laura [34] ; sister Lillie [8]; brothers Cecil [5] (all except Harvey were born in Withersfield) and brother Jackson [1] (born Haverhill). 1911 census...Aged 14, a compositor, he was at Chapel Farm (on the border of Haverhill with Little Wratting) with his parents (father now a domestic gardener); sister Lillie; brothers Cecil (farm labourer); Jackson and Donald [7] born Haverhill. It seems likely that Harvey was working for the South West Suffolk Echo. He was a member of St.Mary's bible class. From his medal index card it is apparent that his parents had moved later to 7 Waveney Terrace, Haverhill. His father's cousin David Brown had taken over Chapel Farm. |
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The South West Suffolk Echo recorded on 22nd May 1915 that he had enlisted as Private 3608 in the 6th Battalion, London Regiment (City of
London Rifles). He had enlisted in London. He arrived in France on 4th December 1915.His death was reported in the "Echo" on 1st July 1916 as being killed in action on 30th April 1916. The battalion were in action around Zouave Valley, between Souchez and what is now the Canadian Vimy Ridge Memorial. Most of the craters mention were filled when the motorway was built. The extensive entry in the war dairy follows :- "30th - During the day the enemy's artillery was very active again, throwing barrages over all our communications trenches and ZOUAVE VALLEY. At 7 pm the enemy exploded two mines on the front of or centre coy.They were situated on the left of NEW CUT CRATER making almost a complete barrier across the front of our centre coy. Two very big craters were formed with very big mounds on the near side. Most of the front line trench of the centre coy was again more or less obliterated. SAP B6 was entirely overwhelmed. The enemy opened a most violent artillery bombardment, barraging the whole position. He also opened a heavy rifle fire on our line and the craters to which our men replied effectively in spite of the violent bombardment. Our artillery almost immediately got an effective barrage on the enemy's line Trench mortars, minenwerfer and rifle grenades were also active on both sides After about an hour the fire ceased and we were able to take stock of the situation. Our losses had been considerable, both from the mines and the artillery fire, but they would have been considerably worse had we not expected the presence of the mines and so lightened the garrison in the line in the affected area. Work was commenced at once to consolidate the near lips of the CRATERS and good progress was made during the night, which was quiet. The enemy showed no signs of attack. The 8thDiv working parties were used as carrying parties bringing up chiefly SAA (small arms ammunition) and bombs. None of the usual work could be got on with. We now hold the retrenchment - SAP 8- RABINEAU-TAILLANDIER - THIRIET as our front line, the remains of the old front line being merely held as advance posts. During the night and early morning all was quiet". CWGC figures show 44 of the battalion killed that day, 31 named on the Arras Memorial and 13 buried in Cabaret Rouge Cemetery, Souchet. South West Suffolk Echo of 1st July 1917 reported:- "Official information has been received that Rifleman Harvey Brown, No,3608, 6th Batt,London Regt.,late of Haverhill was killed in action on 30th April last
photo: Rodney Gibson and on the Bible Class plaque on the Lady Chapel screen in St Mary's, Haverhill. He is incorrectly named as HANEY on CWGC. click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
