L/Cpl
Walter Brown

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
21/12/1882
Geboorteplaats:
Bolton, Lancashire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Wever

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Strijdmacht:
British Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Lance Corporal
Service nummer:
240735
Dienstneming datum:
05/09/1914
Dienstneming plaats:
Bolton, Lancashire, Engeland, Verenigd Koninkrijk
Eenheden:
 —  Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 1/5th Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
31/07/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
California, Wieltje, Belgiƫ
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
34

Gedenkplaats

Onderscheidingen en medailles 3

1914-15 Star
Medaille
British War Medal
Medaille — 23/07/1920
Victory Medal
Medaille — 23/07/1920

Points of interest 2

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats

Mijn verhaal

Walter Brown was born in 1882 in Bolton, Lancashire. He worked as a weaver in a textile factory and was married to Edith Cartman. They had one daughter, Dorothy. In September 1914 Walter enlisted as a volunteer. He even lied about his age. Walter stated that he was 28 years old instead of 31. By the summer of 1917 he served as a Lance corporal in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 1/5th Battalion, part of the 166th Brigade, of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division.

On 31 July 1917, the 55th Division took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the opening stage of the Third Battle of Ypres. At 3.50 a.m., zero hour, the Division advanced from the hamlet of Wieltje, with three Brigades. Of the 166th brigade, the 1/5th Royal Lancaster, on the right, and the 1/5th Loyal North Lancaster, on the left, were the first to advance. The 1/5th Loyal North attacked a Trench system, dubbed California, penetrating the defenses 400 yards beyond the German third line. After the Battalion had consolidated a line in front of Bossaert Farm (Blue Line), the attack was resumed and the following two objectives (the Black and Green Line) were also captured. In the afternoon the Germans counter-attacked and the 166th brigade was forced to fall back to the Black Line. The men held these positions till the 1st of August, when they were relieved by the 36th (Ulster) Division.

Lance Corporal Brown was killed in action on 31 July 1917. The 34-year old possibly fell during the attack on the California Trench system. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. Walter Brown left behind a wife and a daughter.

Bestanden 2

Bronnen 3

1/5 Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2929/1).
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303
Verdere verwijzing
McCarthy C., Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account, (London, Uniform, 2018), pg. 28-29.
Gebruikte bronnen
Wylly H.C., The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, (Londen, The Royal United Service Institution, 1933), pg. 209-210.
Gebruikte bronnen

Meer informatie 3