BROWN, John Harry [of Thurgaton and Southwell]

By Mike Kirton

Born 1888.  Died 25th April, 1919.

Professional Soldier: Royal Scots Fusiliers.

John Harry Brown

Charles and Mary Brown’s eldest son John was born at Thurgarton in 1888 and educated in Southwell.  Upon leaving school, aged 13, he had been employed as an under gardener prior to joining the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1907.  The following year he went with his regiment to India and then on to Pretoria in South Africa (he was in South Africa at the 1911 Census).  Following his army service John Brown returned to Southwell and was employed as a driver by J. H. Kirkby.

      Shortly after the outbreak of war he enlisted with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters and in May 1915 he was sent out to France where he fought at Ypres, the Somme and Cambrai.  On 31st July 1917, Corporal Brown was wounded at Westhoek in Belgium (one report suggests it was at Arras), being shot in the right leg and fracturing it in two places.  In the chaos of battle he lay there for two days before the stretcher bearers were able to rescue him.  He was transported back to England and hospitalized for several months, undergoing a series operations to repair his leg.  Upon leaving hospital he was discharged from the army on 10th July 1917.

      Following his discharge John Brown returned to his job with J.H. Kirkby and delivered bread to Newark, where he became well known.  Sadly, aged 31, he succumbed to pneumonia and died on 25th April 1919.  Corporal John Brown was given a full military funeral and is buried in the Minster Church Yard.  He left a wife, Ada, and two children.

The following inscription is on his tomb stone:

HE ANSWERED HIS KING AND COUNTRY

HE RALLIED TO THEIR CALL.

HE ANSWERS NOW HIS MAKER,

THE GRANDEST CALL OF ALL.

 Brother of Vincent Brown.