Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Brown, a general labourer, born 1850 in Wymondham, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Ann Brown (nee Richardson, married in the 1st quarter of 1873 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 1845 in Somerby, Leicestershire. Ernest was born in the 4th quarter of 1887 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Charles, born 1875, Elizabeth Ann, born 1877, Louisa, born 1881, Thomas William, born 2nd March 1882, Martha, born 1884 and Bertie, born 26th September 1885, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in April 1891 the family home was at Leicester Street, Melton Mowbray. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a clothier’s errand boy and was residing in the family home at 25, Stanley Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother and siblings, Charles, a grocer’s assistant, Thomas, a grocer’s porter, Martha, a nurse girl and Bert, a grocer’s errand boy. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a domestic gardener and was residing in the family home at 25, Stanley Street, Melton Mowbray, together with his father, a fruiterer’s assistant, his mother, his widowed sister, Elizabeth Smith, a char woman, and his siblings Thomas, a fruiterer and Martha, a boot trade machinist, also residing in the family home was Ernest’s nephew, Cyril Smith, a schoolboy, born 1903 in Melton Mowbray. On the 1st November 1913 in the Parish Church, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, Ernest married Amelia Wyles. They had a daughter, Phyllis, born 2nd February 1915 in Melton Mowbray.
Ernest attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 8th December 1915 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his home address as Sanham House, Melton Mowbray, his age as 28 years and 65 days and his trade or calling as gardener. He confirmed that he was married. He gave his wife Amelia Brown of Sanham House, Melton Mowbray, later changed to Snow Hill, Melton Mowbray, as his next of kin. He gave his religion as Church of England. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7 inches in height, weighed 143 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 36½ and 38 inches. After attestation on the 8/12/15 in Melton Mowbray he was transferred as Private, service number 30416 to the Army Reserve on the 8/12/15. Mobilized on the 6/6/16. Posted to the Leicestershire Regiment Depot on the 6/6/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment at Patrington Camp on the 10/6/16. Posted to the 1st Garrison Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 10/8/16. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 6/2/17. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 1/3/17. Posted to the 12th Infantry Brigade Depot on the 2/3/17. Posted to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 2/3/17. Transferred to the 10th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, and allotted the service number 50613 on the 19/3/17. Granted leave to the UK from the 22/1/18 – 8/2/18. Rejoined the Battalion (since admission to hospital) on the 22/4/18. Admitted to the 44th Casualty Clearing Station, having been gassed by a shell on the 4/5/18. Admitted to the 2nd General Hospital suffering from gas burns on the 4/5/18. Transferred to 10th Convalescent Depot on the 12/5/18. Joined the Infantry Brigade Depot, Rouen on the 6/7/18. Posted to the 1/7th Battalion Cheshire Regiment on the 8/8/18. Killed in action, in the field on the 4/9/18. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 8/12/15 – 1/3/17, 1 year 84 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/17 – 4/9/18, 1 year 187 days. Total service, 2 years 271 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals. On the 30th January 1919 the Officer in charge of No.2 Records, Shrewsbury forwarded the following items of Ernest’s personal property to his widow, Amelia Brown of 23, Snow Hill, Melton Mowbray, 1 wallet, photos, 1 mirror and letters. His widow and daughter were awarded a weekly pension of twenty shillings and five pence to commence of the 24th March 1919. The following information was provided by Ernest’s widow Amelia Brown on the 7th May 1920, and was witnessed and signed by H. Wakerley, J.P., County of Leicester, Melton Mowbray on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Widow of soldier, Amelia Brown of 24, New Street, Melton Mowbray. Children of soldier, Phylis Brown, born 2nd February 1915, of 24, New Street, Melton Mowbray. Father of soldier, John Brown, of 25, Stanley Street, Melton Mowbray. Mother of soldier, none. Full blood brothers of soldier, Thomas Brown, age 38 of 20, Pall Mall, Melton Mowbray. Bert Brown, age 34 of 47, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray. Full blood sisters of soldier, Lizzie Smith, age 45 of 25, Stanley Street, Melton Mowbray. Martha Brown, age 35 of 25, Stanley Street, Melton Mowbray. Ernest’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 3-5 Sep-18 – ST. OMER. (HAZEBROUCK 5A). See special narrative of operations attached.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS
1/7th CHESHIRE REGT.,
SEPT. 3rd – 5th 1918.
Reference Sheet 28 1/20000. 1 Sheet 2E S.W.2 1/10000.
SEPT 1st. The Battalion moved from CORMETTE CAMP to Reserve Brigade positions in the SCHEFFENBERG.
SEPT. 2nd. Reconnaissance of MONT KEMMEL and routes to the East was carried out by officers. The Battalion relieved the 103rd Infantry Brigade in the right sub sector with Battalion Headquarters at N.33.a.3.6. Relief complete by 4.30am September 3rd.
SEPT. 3rd. The position of the Battalion was “A” and “B” Companies in front on the approximate line 350 yards North West at of FRENCHMAN’S FARM to N.29.a.2.9. “D” Company in support about FORT VICTORIA (N.28.c.5.2.) “C” Company in reserve at N.38.b.8.7. During the day patrols made good the ground up to FRENCHMAN’S FARM, which was, however, commanded by an enemy Machine Gun firing from a strong point at TANK FARM (N.19.c.8.3.). The enemy continued throughout the day to harass the communications of the front line Companies by sniping from BEAVER STREET trenches (N.29.c.6.6.) 2nd Lieutenant G. S. McCLYMONT and three other ranks were wounded by this sniper.
It was decided at a conference at Brigade Headquarters held in the late afternoon to push forward with a view to obtaining a footing on the SPANBROEKMOLEN ridge. Orders were issued for “A” and “B” Companies supported by “D,” to advance, “C” Company being held in reserve.
“A” Company were unable to leave their positions owing to heavy Machine Gun fire. “B” Company advanced with their right platoon under 2nd Lieutenant F. YOUD, in the direction of a small copse at N.28.d.8.1.
Heavy Machine Gun fire from a strongpoint at N.29.c.8.2 checked progress for a time, then our Light Gun section worked to a flank at N.35.a.1.9.
Further progress was impossible until dusk. Meantime a few rifle grenades were fired by the enemy into the copse. A few minutes afterwards a heavy enemy barrage was put down in this neighbourhood. “B” Company supported by “D” 300 yards in rear advanced through the barrage. The right platoon of “B” Company covered by the fire of their Lewis Gun reached the position at N.29.c.9.2, thus enabling the rest of the Company, followed by “A” and “D” Company to occupy the BEAVER STREET system of trenches in N.29.c.
Darkness prevented further progress, and the troops remained for the night along the line N.29.d.1.1 to N.29.d.0.7, with patrols posted out to front, “B” with “D” in close support being on the right, and “A” on the left. “C” Company was moved into support near N.29.c.3.6.
SEPT. 4th. At 5.30am the attack with barrage ordered in 102nd Brigade Operation Order No. -?-, and Battalion Operation Order No.5 commenced. Advanced Battalion Headquarters was established at REGENT STREET DUG-OUTS.
The enemy put down a heavy barrage of gas shell on the REGENT STREET DUG-OUTS line. This made observation and control exceedingly difficult. The Companies advanced in the same relative positions, and at 8.00 had gone forward 300 yards, where they were held up by hostile Machine Guns firing on them from positions on the opposite slope, moreover the left flank was now in the air.
At dusk however, the 1/4th CHESHIRE REGIMENT having prolonged the left flank, the Companies again advanced, attempting to steal forward patrols to the top of the SPANBROEKMOLEN crater. “C” and “D” Companies led, supported by “A” and “B.” The main line reached and consolidated was N.29.d.6.3 to N.29.d.7.7.
SEPT. 5/6th. Relieved by the 1/4th ROYAL SUSSEX REGIMENT.
Signed C. -?-, Captain.
Adjutant 7th Cheshire Regt.
8/9/18.
On Friday July 5th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. The following local names have appeared in the official casualty lists published during the past week: - From Monday’s list: Wounded. Cheshire Regt. – Brown, 50613 E. (Melton Mowbray).
On Friday September 27th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. BROWN. – Killed in action in France, on Sept. 4th, Private Ernest Brown, Cheshire Regiment, beloved husband of Amelia Brown, 23, Snow Hill, Melton Mowbray, aged 30 years.
On Friday September 27th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTONIANS KILLED. Mrs. Brown, of 23, Snow-hill, Melton Mowbray, has received official intimation that her husband, Pte. Ernest Brown, of the Cheshire Regiment, was killed in action on September 4th. Pte. Brown joined the Army under the Derby scheme, and had been in France for two and a half years. Prior to enlistment he was employed as a gardener at Sanham House.