Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Martha Taylor, born 28th December 1877 in Corby Heath, Lincolnshire. John was born on 1st January 1900 in Wymondham, Leicestershire. In March 1901 John was residing at Edmondthorpe Road, Wymondham, this being the family home of his widowed maternal grandfather, Ahijah Taylor an agricultural labourer, born 1852 in Twyford, Leicestershire and his maternal Aunts, Mary Taylor, the twin of Martha, born 28th December 1877 in Corby Heath and Ethel Eliza Taylor, born 1889 in Edenham, Lincolnshire, John’s mother was employed as a general domestic servant and was residing at The Three Tuns, 3, King Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. In the 4th quarter of 1902 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district, John’s mother married Frederick Brown. In April 1911 John was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at 11, Saxby Road, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, together with his step father, Frederick Brown, a drayman, born 31st May 1872 in Swinstead, Lincolnshire, his mother and half blood siblings, George Frederick, a schoolboy, born 1903 and Charles Eric, a schoolboy, born 13th November 1905, both siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, also residing in the family home was his maternal Aunt, Ethel Taylor, a kitchen maid. John was awarded the British War and Victory medals. In 1939 John’s mother and stepfather were residing at 24, Stafford Avenue, Melton Mowbray.
The War Diary records: 27 Aug-18 – COURCELLES to COMTES. Advance continued by attacking on our left towards SUGAR FACTORY West of VRAUCOURT. “D” Company attacked with “B” in support. “A” and “C” Companies remained in position in BLUE LINE. 7 officers and 108 other rank prisoners taken of the 5th Grenadier Regiment.
Relieved in the line by the 1/5th DEVONSHIRE REGIMENT. Relief complete at 1.00am 28th. On relief Battalion moved to Railway embankment rear of COURCELLES.
CASUALTIES DURING MONTH.
OFFICERS.
Killed – Nil.
Wounded – 2nd Lieutenant P. MOORE, WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT attached, 25.8.18.
2nd Lieutenant H. E. BUTTERFIELD, 25.8.18.
2nd Lieutenant E. CALLEAR, WEST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT attached, 27.8.18.
2nd Lieutenant R. F. TEE, 27.8.18.
OTHER RANKS.
Killed – 26.
Wounded – 111.
Missing – 16.
NYDN – 1.
NYD Gas – 12.
TO ENGLAND for COMMISSION.
No. 241315 Sergeant E. RAYWOOD, MM.
REINFORCEMENTS.
381 Reinforcements received between 6th and 22nd August.
On Friday September 13th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTON SOLDIERS KILLED. – On Wednesday Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brown 7, Mapperley-terrace, Melton Mowbray, received the following letter from Sergt. W. B. West, West Yorkshire Regt., dated Sept. 7th, concerning their son, Pte. J. Brown: “I am enclosing some photographs which I picked up on the battlefield belonging to Pte. J. Brown, and as you will see, on the back of one of them is a message which tells the finder to return to you. No doubt by now you will have heard the sad news. You must console yourselves with the thought that he died gallantly doing his duty while attacking the Huns. As my battalion relieved his I saw to it that he was properly buried, with a wood cross at his head.” Deceased, who was only 18 years of age on the 1st January this year, joined up in February and went out to France on June 17th. He was formerly at Holwell Works.
On Friday October 25th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. BROWN. – Pte. J. W. Brown, killed in action, Aug. 27th.
He bravely answered his duty’s call.
He gave his life for one and all.
An unknown grave is the bitterest blow.
None but aching hearts can know.
From his ever loving Mother and Father, Sister and Brothers.