Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Charles Brown a roadman and general labourer, born 1868 in Wolvey, Warwks., and his wife Ellen, born 1868 in Leicester. Walter was born in 1898 in Claybrooke, Leics., his siblings were Alfred, born 1893 in Leicester, Florence, born 1898 and Doris M., born 1901, the latter two siblings were both born in Claybrooke, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Bell Street, Great Claybrooke, Leics. In April 1911 Walter was a scholar and was residing in the family home at Claybrooke Magna, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Doris, Thomas, born 1903 and John Charles, born 1909, the latter two siblings were both born in Claybrooke, Leics. He was drowned when his vessel was lost with all on board in the North Atlantic. Walter had been a Patrol Leader of the Ullesthorpe Troop of Boy Scouts. As a token of the respect in which he was held in his native village a special memorial service was held for him in Claybrook church on the evening of the 28th February 1915. The service which was choral, was conducted by the Vicar (the Reverend W. Hamlyn) and the Reverend Canon Boucher, rector of Frolesworth, was largely attended, amongst the visitors from the neighbouring villages being the Lutterworth Troop of Boy Scouts under Scoutmaster Adler, while the Ullesthorpe Scouts and their Scoutmistress (Miss Nina Hill) and the County Commissioner were also present. The church was decorated with Union Jacks wreathed in laurel and on each side of the entrances to the Chancel was the Scout Fleur-de-lys surrounded with a laurel wreath. The Vicar gave a short impressive address from the text “Be thou prepared” and the service concluded with the Dead March from “Saul.” Walter enlisted into the Royal Navy to serve a 12 year engagement on the 10th December 1913, his reckonable service to commence on the 9th October 1916, he was allocated the service number J/28844 in Chatham, Kent. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot and ¾ inches in height, had a chest measurement of 32½ inches and his hair colour was light brown with blue eyes, his complexion was described as fresh, it was noted that he had a scar on the back of his left middle finger, a small mole below his right nostril and two small moles on the left side of his lower lip, he gave his trade or calling as butcher’s boy. His record of service began when he joined HMS Ganges as a Boy 2nd Class on the 10/12/13 – 13/7/14, when he was promoted to Boy 1st Class. HMS Ganges, 14/7/14 – 29/10/14. HMS Pembroke I, 30/10/14 – 10/12/14. HMS Clan McNaughton, 11/12/14 – 3/2/15, when he was lost with his vessel.
On Saturday February 3rd 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. BROWN.- In proud and loving memory of Walter Brown, lost on H.M.S. Clan MacNaughton, Feb. 3rd 1915, age 16½ years. Two years have passed since that sad day. When one we loved was called away. His heart was good, his spirit brave. His resting place a sailor’s grave. From his loving Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers.