Walter Hugh Brown1

M, #620, b. 24 July 1880, d. 23 February 1919
Walter Hugh Brown|b. 24 Jul 1880\nd. 23 Feb 1919|p620.htm|Charles John Brown|b. Apr 1838\nd. 28 Jun 1902|p1193.htm|Annette Elvina Grace Unknown|b. c 1840|p1461.htm|||||||||||||

Walter Hugh Brown c1900
  • Birth*: Walter Hugh Brown was born on 24 July 1880 at Alipor, Calcutta, Bengal, India.4,5
  • Christening: He was christened at a private ceremony on Monday on 1 August 1881 at St Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta, Bengal, India.5
  • Residence*: He resided before August 1895 at Alipor, Calcutta, Bengal, India.6
  • Note*: He was in the School Cadet Corps before August 1895 at St Michael's School, India.6
  • Milit-Beg*: He began military service on 3 August 1895 at Allahabad, India, with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers for a period of 12 years. His regimental number was 5373.6
  • Description*: He was described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weight 109 lbs, chest measurements of 31 inches min and 33 inches maximum expansion. Complexion was described as fresh with hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He had a distintive scar on the front of his right knee. on 3 August 1895 at Allahabad, India.6
  • Milit-Serv: Between 1899 and 1902 Walter Hugh Brown served in the Boer War in South Africa. He was awarded the Queen's Africa Medal with clasps for Transval ( issued to all troops in the Transvall at any time between 24th May 1900 and 31st May, 1902 who recieved no other bars for actions in the Transval), Orange Free State (issued to all troops in the Orange River Colony at any time between 28th February, 1900 and 31st May, 1902, who received no bars for other actions in the Orange River Colony) & Talana (granted to all troops under Lt Gen Sir W. Penn Symon's command on 20th October 1899, who were north of an east and west line drawn through Waschbank Station.). He was awarded the King's South Africa Medal with 1901 & 1902 Clasps (this medal was given to all who were serving in South Africa on or after 1st January, 1902, and would have completed eighteen months' service before 1st June, 1902).l.7,8
  • Milit-Serv: 1904, Walter Hugh Brown had obtained a 2nd class certificate of Education, a 2nd class certificate of Gymnastics and had passed his Pusthu language Lower Standard examination by.7
  • Milit-Serv: 14 July 1904, Walter Hugh Brown was promoted to the rank of Sergent.9
  • Milit-Serv: 19 September 1904, Walter Hugh Brown transfered to the unattached list of the Indian Armed Forces with the Supply and Transport Corps. He was "borne supernumary" as a Sergent on the rolls of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers.9
  • Milit-Serv: 19 September 1904, Walter Hugh Brown was posted, for 7 months and 12 days, to at Rawalpindi, Punjab, India.10
  • Marriage*: He married (by license) Kathleen Teresa Cochrane, daughter of Lawrence Corcoran and Bridget Unknown, on 10 January 1905 at St John the Evangelist Church, Colaba, Bombay, India.1,11,12
  • Occupation: Walter Hugh Brown was a Sargent in the S & T Corps at the time of his marriage.12
  • Milit-Serv: 1 May 1905, Walter Hugh Brown was posted, for 5 months and 20 days, to at Kalabag, Murree Hills, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv: 19 September 1905, Walter Hugh Brown Promoted to the rank of Staff Sergent. (Note - there is a conflict of information about the date of this promotion. The "Unattached List Record of Service" has the date as the 19 Sep 1904 and the "Causualty Form - Active Service" has the date as 19 Sep 1905. Given that Walter's occupation was given as a Sergent on his marriage certificate (10 Jan 1905) and as a Staff Sergent on Hazel's baptism certificate (11 Mar 1906) I have taken the 1905 date to be most likely correct).13
  • Milit-Serv: 21 October 1905, Walter Hugh Brown was posted, for 9 months and 24 days, to at Rawalpindi, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv: 15 August 1906, Walter Hugh Brown was posted, for 2 months and 10 days, to at Relhglvgali ??? in the, Murree Hills, Punjab, India. He was granted 6 months furlogh outside of India and transferred to the rolls of Qulpier (???).10
  • Milit-Serv: 25 October 1906, Walter Hugh Brown started 182 days "Furlough out of India."7
  • Milit-Serv: 2 November 1906, Walter Hugh Brown sailed from India.7
  • (Witness) Death: He witnessed the death of Kathleen Teresa Cochrane on 9 January 1907 at her Mother's home, Church View, Holywood, Co. Down, Ireland.1
  • Milit-Serv: 30 March 1907, Walter Hugh Brown disembarked on return to India at Bombay, India.7
  • Milit-Serv: 2 April 1907, Walter Hugh Brown finished his leave 22 days early and was posted, for 1 month and 21 days, to at Station Supply Depot, Rawalpindi, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv: 16 April 1907, Walter Hugh Brown was issued with the following - 1 waist belt, 1 sword, 1 scabbard, 1 sword kust(?), 1 revolver, 1 revolver case, 24 cartridges, 1 ammunition pouch, 1 cleaning rod. The revolver was a Webber serial # 57496.7
  • Milit-Serv: 23 May 1907, Walter Hugh Brown was posted, for 10 months and 8 days, to at Divisional Store Depot, Rawalpindi, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv: 10 January 1908, Walter Hugh Brown passed the Punjabi language Higher Standard examination at Lahore Cantonment, Punjab, India.7
  • Milit-Serv: 11 February 1908, Walter Hugh Brown spent the next 30 days on at Supply Duty, Tainrood (??) with the Iuruy (??) Gahaketel (??) Expedition.10
  • Milit-Serv: 31 March 1908, Walter Hugh Brown was posted, for 1 month and 9 days, to at Murree Hills, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv: 9 May 1908, Walter Hugh Brown spent 17 days with the at Mohamad Field Force, Punjab, India.10
  • Note: Note that persons serving with the Mohamad field force during the period 14th Feb to 31st May 1908 were eligable for the Indian General Service Medal with the NorthWest Frontier 1908 Clasp. Walter's service history does not show that he was awarded this medal. (more research required).14
  • Milit-Serv: 26 May 1908, Walter Hugh Brown returned, for 5 months and 21 days, to at Murree Hills, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv: 16 November 1908, Walter Hugh Brown was posted, for 1 year, 2 months and 19 days, under the Senior Supply Officer, to at Rawalpindi, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv: 19 April 1909, Walter Hugh Brown proceeded on 90 days "Privelege leave."7
  • Milit-Serv: 18 July 1909, Walter Hugh Brown returned from leave.7
  • Milit-Serv: 26 October 1909, Walter Hugh Brown passed Pushtu language Higher Standard examination at Peshawar, Punjab, India.7
  • Milit-Serv: 3 February 1910, Walter Hugh Brown was posted to the 38th Mule Corps at Ambala, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv*: 30 August 1910, Walter Hugh Brown passed a course in Harness and Sadlery at Cawnpore, India.7
  • Milit-Serv: December 1911, Walter Hugh Brown was awarded the King George V Delhi Durbar Medal. This medal was awarded to troops on parade at the King George V Delhi Durbar in 1911 as part of his tour after his coronation in 1911. The Durbar medal hangs from the same ribbon as the coronation medal but is of a different design being somewhat larger. The 1911 Durbar medal was only issued in silver and the ribbon was scarlet with three vertical light blue lines, central, and close to left and right edges. at Delhi, India.7,15
  • Milit-Serv: 9 February 1912, Walter Hugh Brown transfered to the 9th Mule Corps at Ambala, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv: 29 July 1912, Walter Hugh Brown passed his promotion to Warrant Rank examination at Kasauli, Punjab, India.7
  • Milit-Serv: 29 April 1913, Walter Hugh Brown transfered to the 36th Mule Cadre at at Jullundur, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv: 4 October 1913, Walter Hugh Brown transferred to at Lahore Cantonment, Punjab, India.10
  • Milit-Serv: 1914, Walter Hugh Brown was sent to France as part of the first British forces to enter the War in Europe.16
  • Milit-Serv: Between 1914 and 1915, Walter Hugh Brown was attached to the Lahore Reserve Park.
    A hand written travel pass from the time reads
    To: R.T.D. Boulogne,
    The bearer of this belongs to the LAHORE Reserve Park. Please do NOT send him via ordinary Troop Train to the front; he should return to HUQUELIERS via DESVRES by the train which leaves BOULOGNE at 4.30pm
    (signed) D Wilnell (?) Capt S.T.C.
    Commandant
    Lahore Reserve Park.17
  • Memo*: First letter written from Walter to Hazel on 15th September 1915.18
  • Memo: Second letter written by Walter to Hazel on 29th October 1915.19
  • Memo: Third Letter written by Walter to Hazel on 12th November 1915. He mentions that he is moving about a fair bit and has very little time to write letters.20
  • Milit-Serv: 21 December 1915, Walter Hugh Brown was attached to the Lahore Divisional Supply Column and sailed from Marseilles per H.T. Vita for at Mesopotamia.21,22
  • Milit-Serv: Before 23 February 1916, Walter Hugh Brown joined the 3rd Corps Troops - Supply (Note that the service record has this down as occuring on the 22nd Nov 1916, however the letter written by Walter is likely too be more accurate) at Mesopotamia.22,21
  • Memo: Fourth letter wriiten by Walter to Hazel on 23rd February 1916. He mentions that he sailed from France some time ago and was now with the Indian Expedition Army Force 'D' somewhere in Mesopotamia.22
  • Memo: Fifth letter written by Walter to Hazel on 5th May 1916. He mentions that his address is now S.T. Corps - 3rd Division - Indian Expeditionary Force 'D' - Mesopotamia.23
  • Memo: Sixth letter written to Hazel from Walter on 7th June 1916. Walter mentions that he has been joined by Hazel's Cousin Edwin (Auntie Ellen's son) and that Edwin's brother Donald has joined the S&T Corps as well.24
  • Memo: Seventh letter written to Hazel from Walter on 14th June 1916. Walter says that he and Edwin are still together and that he has had less to do recently and so has been able to write more often.25
  • Memo: Eighth letter written to Hazel from Walter on 23rd June 1916. Walter mentions that he has not been in contact with Edwin for some time and that he has not received any mail from home for 4 or 5 months.26
  • Memo: Ninth letter written to Hazel from Walter on 25th July 1916. Walter mentions that he and Edwin were "keeping very nicely thank God" and that the sandstorms and heat were dreadful.27
  • Milit-Serv: Before 6 October 1916, Walter Hugh Brown returned to India - probably on leave.28
  • Memo: Tenth letter written by Walter to Hazel on 6th October 1916. This letter was written from Meerut in India so Walter must have returned home on leave or temporary assignment. There is no mention of this in his service record.28
  • Milit-Serv: 19 October 1916, Walter Hugh Brown was mentioned in Despatches as published in the Gazette of India - Army Depts 124.21
  • Memo: Eleventh letter written to Hazel from Walter on 15th November 1916. Walter mentions that he is now back at his old address (in Mesopotamia).29
  • Milit-Serv: Before 12 December 1916, Walter Hugh Brown was attached to the 8th Brigade, Supply and Transport Company at Mesopotamia.21
  • Milit-Serv: 12 December 1916, Walter Hugh Brown joined the 14 D.T. S & T Company at Mesopotamia.21
  • Memo: Twelveth letter written to Hazel from Walter on 26th January 1917.30
  • Milit-Serv: 28 January 1917, Walter Hugh Brown listed as "Effective" with the 3rd Corps Headquaters at Mesopotamia.21
  • Milit-Serv: 13 February 1917, Walter Hugh Brown promoted to rank of Sub Conductor.9
  • Milit-Serv: 15 August 1917, Walter Hugh Brown Mentioned in Lieut. General, Sir Stanley Maude's despatches as published in the Third Supplement to The London Gazette of Tuesday 14th August 1917 (actualy published on the 15th August 1917).
    The citiation on page 8327 reads as follows
    War Office,
    15th August, 1917.
    The Secretary of State for War has received the following list of names of officers, warrant and non-commissioned officers and men, ladies and civillians, whose services have been brought to notice by Lieut.-General Sir Stanley Maude, K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, as deserving of special mention
    The entry on page 8342 reads
    Brown, Staff Serjt. W.H. at Mesopotamia.21
  • Memo: Thirteenth letter written to Hazel from Walter on 10th January 1918. Walter gave an account of what he had for Christmas dinner an hoped that he would get leave in the upcoming "leave season".31
  • Milit-Serv: 30 January 1918, Walter Hugh Brown listed as "Effective" with the 3rd Corps Troops Supply at Mesopotamia.32
  • Milit-Serv: 11 February 1918, Walter Hugh Brown joined the 11th Cavalry Brigade Supply & Transport Company Troops at Mesopotamia.32
  • Milit-Serv: 2 March 1918, Walter Hugh Brown listed as "Effective" with the 11th Cavalry Brigade Supply & Transport Company Troops at Mesopotamia.32
  • Milit-Serv: 8 July 1918, Walter Hugh Brown left unit to proceed on leave at Mesopotamia.32
  • Milit-Serv: 19 July 1918, Walter Hugh Brown proceeded to India on 1 month's leave via the H.T. Elephanta. at Mesopotamia.32
  • Marriage*: He married Maria Lorisa Carmen Frohlick, daughter of Wilhelm Frohlick, on 17 August 1918 at Christ Church, Mussoorie, Bengal Presidency, India, Marrige entry detail is as follows
    Walter Hugh Brown, age 38, Widower, profession - S & T Corps, Residence - Mussoorie, father - Charles John Brown (deceased), signed W.H. Brown.
    Maria Lorisa Carmen Bell, age 36, Widow, residence - Mussoorie, father - Wilhelm Frohlick (deceased), signed C. Bell.
    Marrried by License, witnesses - W. Wildon & A. Brown, Chaplin Sydney A. Bill.
    Carmen had a daughter Bertha from her previous marriage.33
  • Memo: Fourteenth letter written from Walter to Hazel on 17th September 1918. Walter mentions Mumsy and Bertha (a sister for Hazel) and mentions that he would be going away on Thursday (19th Sep) again.34
  • Memo: Fifteenth letter written from Walter to Hazel on 19th September 1918. Walter mentions Mother & Bertha.35
  • Milit-Serv: 20 September 1918, Walter Hugh Brown embarked the H.T. Vasna on return from leave at Bombay, India.32
  • Milit-Serv: 26 September 1918, Walter Hugh Brown disembarked the H. T. Vasna on return from leave at Basrah, Mesopotamia.32
  • Milit-Serv: 11 October 1918, Walter Hugh Brown rejoined the 11th Cavalry Brigade Supply & Transport Company after leave at Mesopotamia.32
  • Memo: Sixteenth letter written from Walter to Hazel on 18th October 1918.36
  • Memo: Seventeenth letter written to Hazel from Walter on 13th Novemebr 1918. Walter mentions that noe the war is over he should be back home in 3 or 4 months. Also mentions that he was in hospital as his Bagdad sores (on his legs) had gotten worse and he was having X-Ray treatment on them.37
  • Milit-Serv: 17 November 1918, Walter Hugh Brown admitted with "Oriental Sores" to at 19th Casualty Clearing Station, Tekrit, Mesopotamia.32
  • Memo: Eighteenth letter written by Walter to Hazel on 31st December 1918. Walter mentions that he is still in hospital and cosequently he would not be coming home as quickly. He also mentions an quarrel with Letty and Will.38
  • Memo: Nineteenth letter wriiten to Hazel from Walter on 26th January 1919. Walter mentions that he was on his journey "down" and was expecting to go by hospital steamer to Amara or Bassra shortly.39
  • Memo: On the rear of an envelope date stamped 11 Feb 19 was a note - Arrived No 3 B G Hospital, Basrah. Address letter accordingly.
    This letter was also stamped Cawnpore 23 Feb 19 - the day Walter died.39
  • Milit-Serv: 20 February 1919, Walter Hugh Brown reported "Dangerously Ill" with septicaemia at No. 3 British General Hospital, Basrah, Mesopotamia.32
  • Death*: He died on 23 February 1919 at No. 3 British General Hospital, Basrah, Mesopotamia (now Iraq), at age 38; died of Disease (septicaemia).40,41,32,2
  • Burial*: He was buried at Plot 1, Row U, Grave 8, Basra War Cemetery, Iraq, Basra is a town on the West bank of the Shatt-al-Arab, 90 kilometers from its mouth in the Persian Gulf. The cemetery is about 8 kilometers north-west of Basra.2

Family: Kathleen Teresa Cochrane b. 25 November 1883, d. 9 January 1907

Citations:

  1. [S38] Manuscript note by Maurice Kirke "unknown cd."
  2. [S87] Letter, Commonwealth War Graves Commission to Michael John Kirke, 5 Sep 1996.
  3. [S143] Microfilm Parish Register Transcripts, Presidency of Bengal (India), 1713 -1948 "Film 0510866 - Bapts., marrs., burs. v.177-178 Jul - Dce 1881 : Frame 10."
  4. [S134] Military Service Record of Walter Hugh Brown "Attestation Papers."
  5. [S143] Microfilm Parish Register Transcripts, Presidency of Bengal (India), 1713 -1948 "Film 0510866 - Bapts., marrs., burs. v.177-178 Jul - Dec 1881 : Frame 10."
  6. [S134] Military Service Record of Walter Hugh Brown "Attestation Paper."
  7. [S134] Military Service Record of Walter Hugh Brown "Unattached List Record of Service papers. "
  8. [S147] A.R. Litherland, B.T. Simpkin E.C. Joslin, British Battles & Medals, pp 188 - 204.
  9. [S134] Military Service Record of Walter Hugh Brown "Unattached List Record of Service (I.A.F U1744). "
  10. [S134] Military Service Record of Walter Hugh Brown "Record of Service. "
  11. [S134] Military Service Record of Walter Hugh Brown "Marriage certificate extract."
  12. [S143] Microfilm Parish Register Transcripts, Presidency of Bengal (India), 1713 -1948 "Film 0462971 - Bapts., marrs., burs. vol 93-94 1905."
  13. [S134] Military Service Record of Walter Hugh Brown "Unattached List Record of Service (I.A.F U1744) & Casualty Form - Active Service."
  14. [S149] Major L.L. Gordon, British Battles and Medals, page 313.
  15. [S148] Tim Frost, "Information about the King George V Delhi Durbar medal," e-mail to Michael John Kirke, 8 Sep 1997.
  16. [S152] David & Beckett, Ian Chandler, The Oxford Illustrated History of the British Army, Pages 215 - 216.
  17. [S126] Manuscript note by D M Well Capt. S.T.C. - Commandant Lahore Reserve Park "unknown cd."
  18. [S98] Letter from Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel BROWN (185), 15th September 1915 "unknown cd."
  19. [S99] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel BROWN (185), 29th October 1915.
  20. [S100] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel BROWN (185), 12th November 1915.
  21. [S134] Military Service Record of Walter Hugh Brown "Causualty Form - Active Service."
  22. [S101] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 23rd February 1916.
  23. [S102] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 5th May 1916.
  24. [S103] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 7th June 1916.
  25. [S104] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 14th June 1916.
  26. [S105] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 23rd June 1916.
  27. [S106] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 25th July 1916.
  28. [S107] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 6th October 1916.
  29. [S108] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 15th November 1916.
  30. [S109] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 26th January 1917.
  31. [S110] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 10th January 1918.
  32. [S134] Military Service Record of Walter Hugh Brown "Casualty Form - Active Service."
  33. [S143] Microfilm Parish Register Transcripts, Presidency of Bengal (India), 1713 -1948 "Film 0527553 - Baptisms, Marriages & Burials Jul-Sep 1918 Vol 431 page 11."
  34. [S111] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 17th September 1918.
  35. [S112] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 19th September 1918.
  36. [S113] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 18th October 1918.
  37. [S114] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 13th November 1918.
  38. [S116] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 31st December 1918.
  39. [S118] Letter, Walter Hugh Brown to Hazel Mabel Brown, 11th February 1919.
  40. [S38] Manuscript note by Maurice Kirke "Page 1."
  41. [S72] HMSO, Officers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919, Part III - Alphabetical List of Deceased European Officers of the Indian Army 1914 - 1920. page 274.