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. Arthur was born in the 3rd quarter of 1879 in Coalville and baptised on the 21st September 1879 in the Parish Church, Ravenstone, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Harriett Ann Brownlow Upton, a schoolgirl, born in the 2nd quarter of 1871, George William, a schoolboy, born 15th February 1873, John Joseph, a schoolboy, born in the 4th quarter of 1874 and Thomas Henry, a schoolboy, born 12th April 1877, all his siblings were born in Coalville, in April 1881 the family home was at 16, Kimberley Row, Packington, Leicestershire. In April 1891 Arthur was absent from the family home at Ashby Road, Swannington, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a coal miner, his mother and siblings, William, a coal miner, Joseph, a coal miner, 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 and Ambrose, born 27th August 1889 in Coalville, also residing in the family home was Arthur’s widowed maternal Grandfather, George Upton, who was on the sick list, born 1831 in Thringstone, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Arthur was absent from the family home at Ashby Road, Coalville, residing there was his father, a coal miner, his mother and siblings, Ernest, a coal miner, Walter, a coal miner, Ambrose, a schoolboy, Thomas, a schoolboy, born 1893 and Hannah Florence E., a schoolgirl, born 1895, the latter two siblings were both born in Coalville, also residing with the family was Arthur’s widowed maternal Grandfather, George Upton, Arthur was serving as a Private with the Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Headquarters, 17 Regimental District, Glen Parva, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Arthur 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, Walter, a coal miner, Ambrose, a coal miner, Thomas, a coal miner, born 30th November 1891 and Hannah Florence E., born 3rd May 1894, the latter two siblings were both born in Coalville. In the 2nd quarter of 1911, Arthur married Catherine Louisa Taylor in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district, Catherine was born on the 28th March 1890. In the 3rd quarter of 1919, Arthur’s widow married Percy Bonser in the Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire district, they resided at 79, Margaret Street, Coalville. His younger brothers, Ernest died from wounds received in action and Ambrose fell in action.
Arthur’s Army enlistment documents do not survive, all that is known of his military service is that he had previously served as a Regular Soldier with the Leicestershire Regiment and as a Reservist was mobilised on the outbreak of war on the 5th August 1914, rejoining his old regiment and being allotted the service number 6058, he first entered the theatre of war in France on the 21st November 1914, he saw action in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, 12th to the 15th March 1915 and also the Battle of Festubert, 9th to the 15th May. He was killed near Sanctuary Wood in the Ypres Salient. He was awarded the 1914 STAR, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 21 Jun-15 - VERLORENHOER ROAD – WIELTJE TRENCHES. (Mon) A good deal of shelling, 2 shells on “A” Company causing 1 killed and 10 wounded.
On Monday June 28th 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” – Coalville Soldier Killed In Action. – Mrs. Brownlow, of 79, Margaret-street, Coalville, has received the sad news that her husband, Private ARTHUR BROWNLOW, 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, has been killed in action at a place not stated. Brownlow was a Second-class Reservist at the outbreak of the war, and after being called up to the 1st Battalion of the Leicester Regiment was drafted to the 2nd Battalion. He was 38 years of age, and his widow is left with an only child, a daughter, aged three years. Brownlow’s last letter home was written only two days before he was killed, and in it he said he was “in the pink.” He served in the 1st Battalion in the South African War, where he was wounded in the elbow, and gained Queen Victoria’s medal and bars. Three of his brothers are serving in the forces. One (Harry is in France, in the 2nd Leicester’s, another in Kitchener’s Army, now stationed on Salisbury Plain, and the third enlisted recently in the Leicestershire Territorial’s, now at Loughborough. Brownlow was a man of fine physique, a good soldier, and popular among a large circle of mates. The utmost sympathy is expressed towards the young widow. Mr. George Taylor, Margaret-street, father of Mrs. Brownlow, and himself an old soldier of the 2nd Cheshire’s, has two sons, two son’s-in-law, a brother, and seven nephews now serving in the forces. Mrs. Brownlow yesterday received a letter from Private Wm. Jackson, whose parents live off Hermitage-road, Coalville, informing her that her husband was killed by a piece of shrapnel from a bursting shell, and that he did not live many seconds afterwards. He was hit in the head and neck. Jackson says he did all he could for him, and that he was buried the same night. Lance Corporal Bolesworth and Jackson carrying him to the grave, and Major Dunlop read the burial service, Jackson continues, “I have his pocket knife and belt, his photo, a few cards, cap badge, two razors, a franc, and a half franc and French halfpenny, which I will send to you as soon as we come out of the trenches. He was a very big chum of mine, and was in the cookhouse with me. I knew him before he was called up. I came from Coalville myself, and live at 21, Hermitage-road, so if you have time just let my mother and father know I am quite well. Lance Corporal Bolesworth wrote to Brownlow’s brother, who is in the 2nd Battalion (Leicester’s), and told him all about it. Don’t let this upset you, Mrs. Brownlow, as he died for his country, which you know is a very great honour. As long as we are in this position I will look after his grave. The officer will have a cross put on, next time we come into the trenches.”
On Friday July 23rd 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” – EIGHT “TIGERS” KILLED. The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment (1st Battalion), are reported from the Base under date 3rd July:- Abbott, 10175, Private G. S. Brownlow, 6058, Private A. Henry, 8856, Lance Corporal C. Horton, 7736, Private B. Morris, 7355, Private G. Smalley, 12064, Private J. T. W. Wale, 7291, Private J. Watts, 6663, Private C.
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 January 15th 1915

COALVILLE SOLDIER’S APPRECIATION OF COMFORTS

Writing to his wife, who resides in Margaret Street, Coalville, Pte. A. Brownlow, of the C. Co. 1st Leicestershire Regiment, with the British Expeditionary Force in France, expresses his appreciation of mince pies sent and also says he wishes to thank the people of Coalville for sending comforts. The articles were very welcome as it was cold in the trenches where he was, and they will help to keep him warm. He hopes the weather will soon change though he is as well as can be expected. The letter proceeds, “I hope you had a merry Christmas. Mine was not very pleasant but never mind, I hope to have one better another year, all being well. Tom Granger is with me and he is quite well at present, also Sten Hardy and a lot more Coalville boys.

Coalville Times article - Friday April 30th, 1915

Coalville Soldier thinks of his Child - 'Kiss her for me'

Pte. A. Brownlow, writing from the front to his wife at 83, Margaret Street, Coalville, expresses thanks for a letter and parcel received safely. The weather is getting nice out there now and the socks sent were rather too thick. He thanks his wife’s dad for the twist sent and says he has smoked it all and would like a bit more, though he has plenty of the other sort of bacca. The latter burns his tongue, but it is better than none at all and so he puts up with it. He proceeds, “I saw Tom Grainger last night and he told me to remember him to all friends at Coalville. We are out of the trenches for a little while and I will drop you a few lines before we go in again. Ask your dad whether our Lily (writer’s child) meets him coming home from the pits. Bless her! I shall be glad when she can come and meet me again. Kiss Lily for me.”

In another letter written to his father and mother on April 18th, Brownlow thanks them for sending him more of his favourite “twist.” He goes on to say that he is quite well and asks his dad whether little Lily comes to meet him like she used to. The weather is improving now out there and it is much better for getting about. “I am in the trenches again for a little while,” he says, “and it is a treat when the weather is alright.” He enquires how the pits are working and hopes his father and brother have been doing well.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 2nd, 1915

COALVILLE SOLDER KILLED

ONE OF YOUR BROTHERS IN THE ARMY


The name of another Coalville soldier to be added to the roll of honour is that of Pte. Arthur Brownlow, of Margaret Street, who was killed in action on June 21st. He leaves a wife and one child, aged 3 years.

Mrs Brownlow, who resides at 79, Margaret Street, Coalville, received the sad news in a letter which reached her on Sunday morning from Pte. William Jackman (a comrade of the deceased) whose parents reside in Hermitage Road, Coalville.

The letter stated that Brownlow was struck by a bursting shell, and he did not live many seconds afterwards. He was hit in the head and neck. Jackman says he did all he could for him, and that he was buried the same night. Lance-Corporal Boleworth and Jackman carrying him to the grave, and Major Dunlop read the burial service. Jackman continues, “I have his pocket knife and belt, his photo, a few cards, cap badge, two razors, a franc and half a franc and a French half-penny, which I will send to you as soon as we come out of the trenches. He was a very big chum of mine, and was in the cookhouse with me. I knew him before he was called up. I came from Coalville myself, and live at 21, Hermitage Road, so if you have time just let my mother and father know I am quite well. Lance-Corp. Boleworth wrote to Brownlow’s brother, who is in the 2nd Battalion (Leicesters), and told him all about it. Don’t let this upset you Mrs Brownlow, as he died for his country, which you know is a very great honour. As long as we are in this position I will look after his grave. The officer will have a cross put on, next time we come in the trenches.”

Before the war the deceased soldier worked as a collier at the South Leicestershire Colliery. He was formerly in the army, 1st Leicesters, and was called up as a reservist, being then drafted to the 2nd battalion. He was 38 years of age.

Brownlow’s last letter home was only days before he was killed, and in it said he was “in the pink.” He served in the 1st battalion in the South African War, where he wounded in the elbow, and gained Queen Victoria’s medal and bars.

Three of his brothers are serving in the forces. One (Harry) is in France, in the 2nd Leicesters, another in Kitchener’s Army, now stationed on Salisbury Plain, and the third enlisted recently in the Leicestershire Territorials, now at Loughborough.

Brownlow was a man of fine physique, a good soldier, and popular amongst a large circle of mates. The utmost sympathy is expressed towards the young widow. Mr George Taylor, Margaret Street, father of Mrs Brownlow, and himself an old soldier of the 2nd Cheshires, has two sons, two sons-in-law, a brother, and seven nephews now serving in the forces.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 22nd, 1917

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Private A. Brownlow, 1st Leicestershire Regiment, killed in action in France, June 21st, 1915.

“Two years have gone and still we miss him
Some may think the wound has healed
But little do they know the sorrow
Deep within our hearts concealed.

Quick and sudden came the call
Your sudden death surprised us all
A loving husband, a faithful friend
One of the best God could lend

But the hardest part is yet to come
When the warriors do return
When we miss among the cheering crowd
The face of our beloved one.”

From his loving Wife and Child, his mother-in-law and Father-in-law; and Father and Mother.

Coalville Times article - Friday June 21st, 1918

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Pte. Arthur Brownlow, 1st Leicester Regt., who was killed in action in France, June 21st, 1915.

“His loving smile and kindly ways,
Are pleasant to recall.
He always had a cheerful word,
And he was loved by all.
Days of sadness still come o’er us,
Tears of sorrow often flow,
Memory keep our loved one near us.
Whom God claimed three years ago.
Our home seems quite another place
Without the sunshine on his face.”

“Gone, but not forgotten.”

From his loving Wife and Child (Lily) and Family.

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 photographs from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 30/8/2015