Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Brownlow a coal miner, born 27th January 1851 in Coalville, Leicestershire and his wife Sarah Ann Brownlow (nee Upton, married in the 4th quarter of 1871 in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district), born 1854 in Coalville. Ambrose was born on the 27th August 1889 in Coalville, his siblings were, George William, a coal miner, born 15th December 1873 and John Joseph, a coal miner, born in the 4th quarter of 1874, the latter two siblings were both born in Coalville, Ernest, a schoolboy, born in the 3rd quarter of 1884 and James Walter, a schoolboy, born 9th December 1886, the latter two siblings were both born in Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire, also residing in the family home was Ambrose’s widowed maternal Grandfather, George Upton, who was on the sick list, born 1831 in Thringstone, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Ashby Road, Swannington, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Ambrose was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Ashby Road, Coalville, together with his father, a coal miner, his mother and siblings, Ernest, a coal miner, Walter, a coal miner, Thomas, a schoolboy, born 30th November 1891 and Hannah Florence E., a schoolgirl, born 3rd May 1894, the latter two siblings were both born in Coalville, also residing in the family home was Ambrose’s widowed maternal Grandfather, George Upton. In April 1911 Ambrose was employed as a coal miner and was residing in the family home at 105, Margaret Street, Coalville, together with his father, a coal miner, his mother and siblings, Arthur, a coal miner, born in the 3rd quarter of 1879 in Coalville, Walter, a coal miner, Thomas, a coal miner and Hannah. Ambrose also had the following siblings, Harriett Ann Brownlow Upton, born in the 2nd quarter of 1871 and Thomas Henry, born 12th April 1877, both siblings were born in Coalville. Ambrose’s older brothers, Arthur fell in action, and Ernest died of wounds received in action. Before the war Ambrose worked at the South Leicestershire Colliery, Ellistown. He was killed during the Battle of Bazentin le Petit on the Somme.
Ambrose enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 29th August 1914 in Coalville, and was allotted the service number 10568. He gave his place of birth as Coalville, Leicestershire and age as 23 years 362 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as collier.
His medical examination took place in Coalville on the 29th August 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 23 years 362 days, that he was 5 feet 8 inches in height, weighed 150 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 36 and 38 inches, his complexion was described as fair, he had hazel eyes and his hair colour was brown and his physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father Thomas Brownlow, 105, Margaret Street, Coalville. Mother Sarah Ann Brownlow, 105, Margaret Street, Coalville. Brother Thomas Brownlow, 105, Margaret Street, Coalville. Sister Hannah Brownlow, 105, Margaret Street, Coalville.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Leicester. 31/8/14.
Joined. Depot. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 31/8/14.
Posted. 6th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 4/9/14.
Deprived. Of ? days’ pay. 5/10/14.
Deprived. Of 3 days’ pay for misconduct. 4/1/15.
Killed in action, place not stated. In the Field. 17/7/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 29/8/14 – 28/7/15. 334 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 – 17/7/16. 355 days.
Total Service. 1 year 324 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 14-17 July-16 - FRICOURT. The 110th Brigade attacked and captured BAZENTIN – LE – PETIT WOOD and village and held same. Appendix I. The action attached.
Narrative of action of the 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment from 3.00am 14/7/16 to 8.00am 17/7/16.
The Battalion moved from FRICOURT WOOD via the southern and eastern edge of MAMETZ WOOD and reached the north east corner of this wood just before 3.00am. The Battalion was formed in four lines by 3.15am under a fairly heavy bombardment and lined up with the 7th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT on its left about 100 yards in front of MAMETZ WOOD. At 3.25am 1st and 2nd lines advanced on German first line, and five minutes later the third and fourth lines advanced, and, crossing first line, assaulted and took the German second line. The first German line was very much knocked about and some 25 or 30 prisoners were taken in it. The right Company blocked German first line trench on right of the attack, and also the same in the German second line. While crossing “No man’s” land the barrage was not very severe but the two right Companies suffered a good many casualties from enemy machine guns in BAZENTIN-LE-GRAND WOOD, which had not then been cleared by 7th Division on our right. There were also two enemy machine guns in the south east corner of BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD. These were charged by the third and fourth lines and the detachments killed, and the guns taken. There were not a large number of Germans in second line when it was entered. The trenches had been so knocked about that it was difficult to consolidate them. At 4.00am first and second lines, leaving small parties to deal with any dugouts, advanced to German second line, which was also being consolidated by the third and fourth lines. At 4.20am three platoons remained in German second line, and the rest of the Battalion advanced to the “one hour” line, which was reached after suffering a good many casualties from enfilade fire from the direction of BAZENTIN-LE-GRAND WOOD. Soon after this the enemy, retiring in front of the 7th Division from BAZENTIN-LE-GRAND WOOD on our right, were enfiladed from the eastern edge of the wood by our Lewis guns, and suffered heavy losses. For some time the right Company had to form a defensive flank as many of the enemy were trying to get from BAZENTIN-LE-GRAND WOOD to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD. At 5.20am the Battalion advanced to the “two hour” line and remained there till 6.00am, waiting for the 7th Division to come up on our right. At 6.00am the Battalion was reinforced by several platoons of the 9th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT At 6.05am the line advanced against the village, and, the left of the 7th Division not being up, the whole village was assaulted and taken, and 3 officers and 200 prisoners. At 6.40am the ROYAL IRISH RIFLES entered the village and the eastern portion was handed over to them. At 7.15am the Battalion occupied and began consolidating the line from the northern end of the village, thence southwards to the north eastern point of BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD, thence along northern edge of wood halfway to the railway. An attempt to get the real objective was heavily enfiladed from a point just outside the wood near the railway. About 50 prisoners were taken in a trench along northern edge of wood. At 8.30am the enemy made a counter attack against the northern portion of village. The 7th Division who were not very strong here fell back on cemetery. The Battalion conformed and held northern edge of wood and the prolongation of same through the village. At 9.15am the 7th Division were reinforced and retook eastern portion of village, and the Battalion resumed its previous line, joining up with the 7th Division north of the village. At 3.00pm the enemy made another counter attack against northern and north eastern edge of village. Many of them reached the road running from north end of village to railway and were at once stopped by our rifle and Lewis gun fire. The Battalion held and consolidated this position on the night of the 14th and also on the 15th there was no change. At 2.00am on the 16th a party of one officer and 50 men were sent out to try to consolidate the original objective along the road. They were preceded by a party of one officer and 40 men of the YORKSHIRE REGIMENT The latter party got to the road and held it for some time while our party was trying to consolidate, but were heavily bombed and enfiladed from enemy post just outside wood near railway, and was forced to retire. On the night of the 16th the Battalion was relieved by the 10th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY and the Battalion went into bivouac just south of FRICOURT WOOD, arriving there at 1.00am the 17th instant. The Battalion suffered the following casualties 7 officers killed and 20 wounded. 500 other ranks killed, wounded and missing.
The War Diary records: 16 July-16 - 6th Battalion right supported by 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT 7th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT on left supported by 8th Battalion LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT.
The War Diary records: 17 July-16 - The Battalion marched from FRICOURT WOOD at 7.45pm and arrived at RIBEMONT at 12.30am 18th July 1916.
On Saturday July 22nd 1916 The Nottingham Evening Post published the following article under the heading. “COALVILLE FAMILY BEREAVEMENT.” – THREE BROTHERS KILLED AT THE FRONT. News has been received in letters from soldier mates at the front that Private Ambrose Brownlow has been killed in action. He is a son of Mr. Thomas Brownlow, of Margaret-street, Coalville, a collier, who has had two other sons, Arthur and Ernest, previously killed in action, while a fourth soldier son has recently recovered from wounds. The three brothers killed were all privates in the Leicestershire Regiment, and before the war were working as colliers.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday August 11th, 1916

THREE COALVILLE BROTHERS KILLED

Official intimation has now been received by Mr and Mrs Thomas Brownlow, of Margaret Street, Coalville, that their son, Private Ambrose Brownlow, of the Leicestershire Regiment, was killed in action on July 14th. He was 25 years of age, and single.

Two brothers, Privates Arthur and Ernest Brownlow, also of the Leicestershire Regiment, were killed some months ago. These were both married men, and by their deaths, two sisters, daughters of Mr and Mrs Taylor, of Margaret Street, Coalville, are left widows, with families.

The three brothers before the war all worked at the South Leicestershire Colliery, where the father is also employed. Another son of Mr Brownlow, Harry, is with the Colours, and is now on active service again after having recovered from wounds.

Coalville Times article - Friday August 18th, 1916

COALVILLE FAMILY’S BEREAVEMENT

THREE BROTHERS KILLED

As reported in our last issue, Mr and Mrs Thos. Brownlow, of Margaret Street, Coalville, have suffered heavy bereavement in connection with the war, having had three sons killed in action and another wounded. In connection with the last death, that of Private Ambrose Brownlow, aged 25, the parents have received the following letter:

“Dear Mrs Brownlow – It is with the deepest sympathy for you all that I write this letter, the hardest task I have ever had to do. How to find words to comfort you in your sorrow, I do not know, but God will give you strength to bear it. Your son died nobly fighting for the freedom of the old country and the sake of you all at home. It may be of some comfort to you to know that he died without pain, being killed instantly. I feel his loss greatly for as you know, he was my chum. I cannot write more; may God bless you and relieve you in your sorrow. – Yours ever sincerely and with deep sympathy. Charles Cooper.”

The other two sons of Mr and Mrs Brownlow previously killed were Arthur and Ernest, who were married to two sisters, nee Taylor. The surviving soldier brother, Harry, has recovered from wounds, and is again on active service. All were privates in the Leicestershire Regiment and before the war worked at the South Leicestershire Colliery, where their father is employed.

Coalville Times article - Friday March 14th, 1919

COALVILLE COLLIER’S DEATH

THREE SONS KILLED IN THE WAR

The death occurred rather suddenly early on Monday morning of Mr Thomas Brownlow, of 104, Margaret Street, Coalville. He was 69 years of age and had worked as a collier for over 60 years, having for the last 25 years been employed at the South Leicestershire Colliery, and went to work as usual up to last Friday. He was out on Sunday, apparently in his usual health, and ate a hearty supper, but he became unwell during the night and passed away early on Monday morning. The widow, five sons and two daughters survive, but the deceased had ten sons, three of whom were killed in the war – probably the greatest loss experienced by any Coalville family. The three sons killed were Arthur, aged 36, who fell at Armentieres; Ernest, aged 34, a well-known Coalville Town footballer, whose death in action occurred at Vimy Ridge; and Ambrose, aged 27, who was killed on the Somme.
Five sons (all colliers) served in the war and one, Harry, was badly wounded at Guillemont Farm on the Somme, but is now making a good recovery. The latter and Arthur, the first of the three brothers to fall in the war also served in the South African War.

The death of Mr Brownlow was certified as due to valvular disease of the heart.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 15/10/2017